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xxxx.featuring. ivisbo
The party had already begun to devolve from assigned seating to clusters throughout the venue, each varying degrees of a drunken stupor. Some had managed to maintain a semblance of composure, though most of the sensical sorts had already left. The stiff formality of ceremony had passed, the free flowing bar working itâs influence on those who remained.
Despite the rough start to the night, Magnolia was actually enjoying herself. Sheâd almost completely forgotten her crash and burn earlier, though that was probably the bourbon doing itâs thing. She was laughing a bit too much, talking a bit too loud, moving a bit too languid. In the sea of faces and figures it was easy to go unseen, her and Samar navigating along the fringes of the conversations. It was the closest sheâd been to anonymity for years, making her buzz with a sort of giddy excitement as they bounced around.
They wouldnât stay in one place for too long, something else catching Magnoliaâs attention causing her to drift - Samar always making sure to gripe that he wasnât there to babysit her as she dragged him around. Small talk was dull anyways, Magnolia would indulge as much on any other day. Always ready to put on the performance. People never knew what to talk to her about, her reputation a shadow on the conversation. Sheâd moved past caring .05% blood alcohol levels ago.
âIf I have to have one more fake conversation about the economy, I think Iâm just going to throw myself off that balcony.â She said in a hushed tone to Samar, pivoting them to exit another excruciating conversation.
Samar snorted, âIâll just start bribing up communism and taking down our economy next time, thatâll shut them upâ He grinned at her around his almost empty glass and pointed over at a be-speckled man with a severe scowl, deep in a long one sided conversation that had him gesturing wildly, âThat guy would love to hear my thoughts on a radical reset of the global market right?â
He was joking, but Samar was drunk enough now that all it would take was a little push and heâd be very into making a scene. Something less extreme than Nolas balcony jump but just as socially suicidal. The free booze was great but the droning hum of repetitive conversation was ridiculously depressing. He was better off paying for his own liquor and staying out on his couch at home.
Nola looked over at the man Samar pointed out, chortling with suppressed laughter. She led them towards the bar, ordering them a refill - this time with success. A voice nearby interrupted her momentary joy, catching Camila from the corner of her eye - though she had shed the jacket from earlier, the taut black fabric of her dress left little to the imagination. She had approached Ryan and Noah with a look in her eye that Magnolia could recognize, taunting but just playful enough to feign innocence.
Magnolia watched as Camila crossed her arms, mouth agape as the wine glass conveniently spilled over onto Ryan. All of Magnoliaâs frustration and anger with Camilla swelled in that instant, her cheeks reddening with heat. Her words echoed in Magnoliaâs mind, that smug grin on her expression. âAnd soon enough after you return the favor by hitting them with your drink rather than splashing back, it will happen less often.â Magnolia stood there frozen, clenching her hands as she watched - unable to look away waiting for the train wreck to derail. She couldnât make out what Noah, though she suspected from the sense of urgency that he had gone to grab napkins. When she saw Ryanâs expression when he looked between Camilla and his now chipped award just about made Magnoliaâs heartbreak - quickly then flushed with a combination of intense resent and fierce protectiveness.
Camilla snickered to herself, watching Ryan stammer and unable to get words to be formed. âSorry, what was that?â She asked sarcastically, leaning in a bit pretending to try to hear what he said, knowing he couldnât form any words. Honestly, it was a bit embarrassing how a âgreat journalistâ couldnât even come up with a few words in the moment. âOr do you only say things from behind a screen and in your articles about other people?â Cam still held a grudge with the things that Ryan wrote about her and her band, without much of even asking for an interview or anything.
Before her question could be answered, she heard the medic, or doctor, or whatever he was, come back and ask if she was looking for something. âExcuse me? Do you think people who donât have an award arenât good enough to speak to someone who did? Thought you were a bit better than that my good doctor.â Cam barely turned her head to speak to Noah, then quickly dismissing his presence. âAnyways Ryan. Good to see your little articles are getting some sort of attention, though, you should probably start conducting a bit more research and maybe an interview or two before fabricating lies in your stories...â Cam leaned in slowly and closely to Ryanâs ear. âWouldnât want some false information to spread and someone end up being hurt by it.â She left a light kiss on his cheek before pulling away. âBut by the look of you, I see that the award is all you have going for you, the chip actually goes will with your look.â
âI canât listen to another second of this,â Magnolia grumbled, more to herself than Samar. She didnât allow Samar the chance to stop her from walking over, making sure to move quickly before he saw where she was going.
âYou know, Iâm curious.â Magnolia entered the conversation without so much as an introduction, emboldened by the bourbon and repressed anger, speaking pointedly at Camila. âDid you come here thinking âIâm just going to be a bitch every opportunity I getâ?â
Camilla was just about done with the conversation when a familiar voice came in her direction, and one that had some hostility behind it. Cam let out a small laugh after hearing Magnolia speak towards her. âHonestly? No. Mostly just when someone deserves it. I recall not being much of a bitch to you when you got a drink poured on you. And this was an accident⊠I got distracted talking to this gentleman here.â She continued her fake charade, enjoying herself with the bit of drama she had stirred up, though surprised that Magnolia of all people was coming at her. But the smell of alcohol, and the splashing of the glass gave Cam the hint of Magnolia not being completely sober. Granted, neither was she.
âNow, do you come here thinking youâre just gonna get incoherent and embarrass yourself?â Camilla asked the other woman, a bit of smugness behind the smirk she was wearing on her face. In truth, Camilla didnât come here to cause drama, but she wasnât one to walk away from it when presented in front of her.
||xx song xxxxx||
âGod, Iâm so sick of you.â Magnolia rolled her eyes, âYou can keep pretending, but you know exactly what youâre doing. If you think anyone believes that was an accident, youâre kidding yourself.â
Magnolia pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to stop the room from spinning around her all to aware that she wasnât in the clearest state of mind. Camilla might have mastered dancing that line, saying just enough to maintain her innocence - but Magnolia was tired of the theatrics.
âWhat do you get from this, by the way? Your whole thing of trying to make others feel less than? Is that the only way you can feel superior? By putting others down?â Magnoliaâs tone grew increasingly more agitated, her gestures a little more severe emphasizing each question - cutting through the distance between them as she stepped toward the pop star. It was almost humorous to Camilla the things that Magnolia was saying.
âWhether I believe it, you believe, or this so-called journalist believes it. Doesnât matter.â She paused for a second, watching the woman pinch the bridge of her nose. âOpen bar, people drink, just like you. We all get a little bit more clumsy. Accidents happen. And I get nothing from anything here, I don't need to feel superior to anyone, and Iâm not putting anyone down, just making observations. My bad if two people have conflicting opinions.â Cam took a step forward, matching Nolaâs offensive.
âAnd when it comes to pretending? Iâll let you know something, I wasnât pretending when you got the drink thrown in your face. I actually did feel sorry for you. Left alone at the bar, just for some no-name who is less than you to try to do a cowardice power move.â There was only a foot or so between them now.
Samar stayed back for a moment, content to see a drunk Nola navigate an irritating social situation from afar. But shit, it was Cam she was dealing with and even from afar he could see her tense shoulders and discomfort radiating off her. Samar downed the last remnants of his drink, ditched it on a nearby table, and beelined it over to Nola's side.
âBut hey, Iâm not saying youâre alone and donât have friends.â Camilla spoke referencing the man she noticed coming towards Nola when she started going off on her, but not taking her eyes off of Magnolia. âThough, surprised he isnât trying to calm you down before you get hurt or embarrass yourself some more, must not be that good of a friend or not getting paid enough.â
Camilla knew the man Nola was with, didnât need an introduction - she assumed nor did he. Samar glared at the blonde, standing behind Nola for support and restraint, "Some of us are not so easily bought."
"Honestly, Camilla - I would respect you more if you just owned your bad behavior. Instead you're trying to peddle this, 'I'm just making observations bullshit, picking on people who you think won't bite back." Magnolia spoke through a clenched jaw, pointing a finger between her and Ryan. It had been easier to let Camilla's side comments slide when they were directed at her, but Ryan didn't deserve this treatment.
Camilla rolled her eyes as Nola continued to talk, bringing up respect. She didnât need her kindness let alone her respect. Magnolia wasnât someone who would be in Camâs circles going forward if she could help it. She wanted nothing more to do with the Wrenley family after the end of the revolution. âI prefer it when people bite back little Maggie. Itâs more fun that way, just some people donât wanna show their teeth.â
âI donât even know why I bother, honestly. I wouldnât expect a narcissist like you to be capable of taking any accountability for their actions, ever.â Magnolia huffed, turning to leave when another thought rushed to the tip of her tongue. Cam was just about done with the little argument with Magnolia, getting bored of the talk and crossed her arms as the woman turned to leave.
âAnother thing -â Magnolia turned back towards Camilla, gesturing towards the pop star. The motion was a little sharper than Magnolia intended, the contents of her drink spilling out and splashing onto Camilla. For a moment Magnolia froze with apologetic shock, her free hand going over her mouth, jaw dropped. As the realization settled in, the all too satisfying delivery of instant karma made her smile. Magnoliaâs face twisted in sheepish delight, unable to stop the wicked laughter from bubbling up.
Her face and upper body now covered in whatever alcohol Nola had been drinking, Camilla was furious. The combination of the alcohol in her system, the already heated argument; and seeing Magnolia laughing at her made Cam impulsively react. Her hand quickly struck out, one hard slap across Magnoliaâs face leaving a hot red mark on her cheek. The sound seemed to echo through the venue.
âBitch. You need to be careful with your daddy no longer around.â Camilla said, venom behind her words and stepping forward as the woman she just slapped took a step back. âI warned you earlier about throwing drinks at me.â
Magnolia was at a loss of words, the harsh clarity of adrenaline making her hyper aware of their situation. She instinctively went to cover her face, her hand hovering over the red mark flinching when her fingers brushed across her skin. Shrinking in her own shadow as Camila stepped forward, her eyes began to water - feeling herself finally begin to lose her grip.
Impulses still inhibited by alcohol and amplified by the rush of adrenaline, Samar stepped forward in between Nola and Cam. His shoulders tensed in a way that made him seem even taller than he already was. Any hint of amusement in his expression had extinguished, replaced by the smoldering glare of his ire. He pushed Cam backwards, shoving his palms into her shoulders to put some distance between them - underestimating his strength.
Camilla brushed her hair out of her face as she watched Magnolia cover her face. She barely had enough time to look over and see Samar coming towards her, expecting some sort of mean words and caring towards the slap on Magnoliaâs cheek. But the next thing she knew she was being shoved back roughly, tripping over a chair behind her and falling to the ground hard, elbow hitting a table on the way down. Cam stayed on the floor as she cradled her elbow with her opposite hand, wincing a bit in pain.
âUgh fuck.â Camilla mumbled to herself in pain, definitely feeling something up with her left arm now. In all honesty she didnât expect anyone to do much more than get between them or just separate the two women, let alone be assaulted and shoved onto the floor.