Brynn Calloway's Story

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Erin received a response from Brynn only a minute or so after she sent hers, so she still had her phone in hand and beamed at the quick answer. Thank God. Brynn's presence was going to be necessary as the party progressed and she was relieved that her roommate was finally arriving. Although the girls lived together in Manhattan, it sometimes felt as if they never saw each other, especially during the summer. Both girls worked for their fathers' companies during the day time, and at night and on weekends, frequently hung out together, but also, frequently had plans that kept them out of the apartment. No matter where they were, though, Erin felt like she could always have a good time with Brynn. What made her coming today even better, was that she wouldn't be the only one in white who disliked the family hosting them. In reality, Erin had nothing against any of the Shanks aside from Aaliyah, but that didn't matter really. All that mattered was that she didn't like Aaliyah, and the disdain seemed to be a mutual one. Although Erin felt like it was unjustified for Leah to have any ill feelings towards her when she was the one in the wrong, it also made sense that Aaliyah wouldn't like her. While she had not attended The Spence School with her and Juliet, Aaliyah had still been a part of the Upper East Side, and she was friendly with a lot of the same girls who had dropped Erin from their social circle. At the very least, today Erin could say that her beef with Aaliyah had nothing on the issues that she knew existed between Brynn and Aaliyah. Erin and Brynn were close enough where Erin knew about what had went on between Brynn and Beau... and the mere fact that Beau's infidelity had not immediately dissolved the marriage plans shocked Erin. What was equally shocking, was that an invitation was still extended to Brynn's family to come to the celebration. Erin supposed that maybe Aaliyah's family didn't know about it, or in typical Upper East Side fashion, it wasn't important enough to break social code.

To: Brynn
Hahahaha you're too much for me ;D i'm in that romper i showed you a few days ago! come find me and quick!! dying here without you!

Unsurprisingly, it was easier for Erin to pick out the Brazilian beauty than it probably was for her to do the other way around. She had picked up a mimosa of her own on the way over, and greeted Brynn with an exuberant smile. If the mimosa in her hand didn't seem like the perfect recipe to ruin a white dress with one wrong tilt, she would have squeezed her into a bear hug, with how glad she was to see her, though. "My oh my, don't you clean up just wonderfully, Miss Calloway?" Erin teased as she enthusiastically looked Brynn up and down before breaking the act it with a laugh. All joking aside, she really did look wonderful. While it seemed to be more typical for Brynn to dress in clothes that were sometimes revealing or edgier in style, it made sense that at an upscale event like this (especially one that her family was attending), she would look nothing short of regal. "Don't let me keep you for too long though," she continued with a smirk. "I'm sure you want to go and chat with Leah and her family. You know, thank them for hosting such a nice event and all," she teased.

Beau lingered through the halls of large Hampton estate owned by the Shanks. His left hand tucked deep in his pant pocket while his right hand held loosely to a short glass of whiskey on the rocks. He sipped with every few steps, wishing to be anywhere other than this party. Beau didn’t mind being with his fiancée’s family, he just wouldn’t consider this much of a party without a good DJ, a line of coke, and strobing lights. He let out an exasperate sigh and continued his walk through the house, taking the halls that would lead him outside to where everyone else would be. In his mind, Aaliyah’s voice played like a broken record. “Please watch your intake today. We don’t want a repeat of last year. Just…don’t get too boozy too early.” He rolled his eyes at the thought. I can handle my liquor, woman. Beau thought to himself – of course, he would never utter those words to Leah – he knew better than to speak to her like that. Beau took a sip again of his whiskey. He stood now in the doorway, leading outdoors. He looked on as the guests mingled, smiled, and laughed with each other as though they were all great friends. They’re all bloody fakes, Beau thought. None of these people even like each other. All just putting on a show for each other. With yet another exasperated sigh, Beau stepped down from the doorway and outside where the party actually was. He smiled and nodded towards people who noticed and acknowledged him. With every few steps he’d throw out a ‘Hello’ or a ‘Mr.____, how’s the business?’ or a ‘You look wonderful.’ Beau had made this event just as much his as it was the Shanks’. Since he was running for office, he knew the mingling he’d do today would certainly help him in his election. He walked around to every big name he knew, sweet talking them into believing he was the best candidate, that he was a great person, convincing them that he had nothing to hide and they had everything to gain from him.

Lies spewed out of Beau’s mouth, and before not too long, he grew tired of keeping up the façade. Beau had his drink reordered twice. His third whiskey drink touched his lips and a soft buzz rang in Beau’s mind. After mingling with several people, he found Leah across the backyard talking to Juliet. He graciously excused himself from current conversations and began his walk across the yard to her. As he walked across the lawn, he could see his friend and distant memory of more standing with Erin. Beau smiled, winked and raised his glass in welcome to Brynn. He didn’t stop to talk to her, but rather kept walking until he reached Leah. He politely interrupted her conversation, wrapped an arm around Leah’s waist and kissed her cheek. “Love, all right?” Beau’s English accent reigning heavily on every word he spoke. The English never really used the American phrase ‘how are you’ but rather asked if everything was alright, it was their way of greeting others. He then turned his attention to her friend, "Juliet. All right?" he said to her with a smile. He turned to speak to Leah as he sipped on his drink. "Posh party love, where's mum? She's thrown a lovely gathering." Beau hated being here, but he wasn't going to let Leah know that.