Setting
Default Location for Upper East Side
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Manhattan, NY is a part of 
Upper East Side.
14 Characters Here
Sienna Alvarez [254] "I swear, guys. This is gonna be our best year yet."
Jane Lynch [203]
Sydney Vale [183] "She's going to regret saying that about me."
Charlotte H. Buchanan [148] As long as we don't die, this is gonna be one hell of a story."
Vincent Mast [113]
Carolina Daily [93] "I didn't become heartless. I became smarter."
Connor Harkins [88]
Brent Barclay [66] "I wouldn't have an attitude problem if you weren't so damn pesky."
Victoria Walsh [58] "I know things about you before you even know about them."
Ricardo Slim-HelΓΊ [47] "I'm not in the business of denying myself anything."
Start Character Here »
Rosie was looking at herself in the mirror of their car seeing that their car wasn't moving because of the traffic jam near there house. Charlotte didn't even have time to freak out about the jam seeing that she was on the phone with security. "What? No! It's Brent, not Brett. Brent Barclay. Remember the name, learn the face. I don't need him causing any trouble during this event. Are we clear? Lottie also got so... commanding the day of an event and all Rosie did was roll her eyes as she listened to her sister with a smirk. "I don't care if it seems wrong to keep someone out of a charity event. He's not going to contribute to anything anyways, except to my migraine." Lottie listened to the man on the other side of the phone as he explained what he was going to do. And that he and his team would make sure Brent wouldn't slither his way in. Knowing him, he'd find a way in but, she wasn't taking any chances. Besides, if he did find a way in she'd just kick him out. Simple as that.
"Perfect! Thank you so much, Mr. Bennett." Lottie smiled as she hung up the phone on to look at the texts from everyone telling her that everything was going perfectly and that she had nothing to worry about. The food was there, the room was set, and everything looked just as she wanted it. Which was enough for her to take a sigh of relief only to get stressed once more when she realized she hasn't heard from Connor all day! He was probably with Sydney, but that didn't mean he couldn't text her. Not that she cared of course, seeing that she was way over her crush for him. She looked at the text from Sienna before responding.
To : Sienna <3
Awesome, everything seems to be going okay. I'm on my way, traffic near my house is terrible.
Awesome, everything seems to be going okay. I'm on my way, traffic near my house is terrible.
She put her phone away and looked outside the window of the car to see all of the cars. "Lottie, sweetie. Everything will be fine, just calm down. We'll be there soon." Lottie just shook her head as her breathing started to hallow. "Are you kidding at this rate, the event will be over before we there! What are we gonna do? People are probably already arriving and here we are ten minutes away!" Rosie got up from her seat as she moved to her sister side to rub her back to make her relax before speaking. "Lottie, you know we're only five minutes away and we'll get there soon. Just relax, you're gonna stress yourself out."
"I'm already stressed out! Lottie said as she continued to look at the floor of the car. The younger twin sighed as she opened the partition to talk to Lin, their driver. "Linny, darling. How long should it take to get to the hotel. Lottie's freaking out." Lin cleared his throat as he spoke. "Charlotte, sweetie. You need to relax before you give yourself a stroke but, it should take like twenty minutes. There was a big collision near by and all traffic is stopped."
"What?!"
"What?!" Lottie started freak out even more as she looked at the time on her phone. They were going to be late. How embarrassing is it to be the creator of an event and be late getting there?! So, Lottie made a decision. She grabbed her bag and heels in her hand as she opened the door of the car and started walking. Rosie looked at her, not sure what her sister was up to until the door opened and she finally got it. She looked towards Lin with a smile before he waved towards her and she waved back. She got out of the car with her bag and heels in hand as she followed her sister before catching up to her. "You are determined, aren't ya?" She said as she saw her sister crack a smile which is all Rosie wanted to do. "So... How was the party last night?" Lottie shrugged as she turned her face towards her sister. "It was fun, I got a lot of compliments."
"From?" Rosie asked with a raised eyebrow. "From... people, guys." Lottie said as her sister decided to play music to make the walk not so bad as the twins turned a corner only to almost bump into a group of college guys who just moved aside for the two. Knowing Lottie, she probably thought they were all looking at Rosie. She was the cuter one of the two, she had the smile, the height, body, and everything else a guy could want in a girl. "From Brent?" Lottie took a deep breath as she rolled her eyes. Just hearing his name today gave her anxiety. "Of course, but he always compliments me. 'Sides, he was being sarcastic. Like always." Lottie said rolled her eyes once more. And as if the music knew what they were talking about, Meghan Trainor's song, No Good For You started playing.
"Hey listen, it's yours and Connor's theme song," Rosie sniffled a laugh as she saw Lottie just smirk and shake her head. [b]"Speaking of second best, was he there?" Lottie shurgged. "If he was, he was with Sydney all night because I didn't see him once. But, it's whatever." Lottie said before Rosie nudged her shoulder slightly. "Don't even worry about it. He's not worth it, at least your little soulmate will be here." Rosie joked around as the two walked into the hotel and slid on their heels in place of their flats before walking towards the ballroom. The two put their flats in Rosie's bigger purse just as Lottie got a text from Carolina.
To : Carolina. ^.^
Just walking in. Don't even ask what happened. T.T
Just walking in. Don't even ask what happened. T.T
Just when she sent the message she walked into the room and smiled. Everything did look perfect, sure there were things she wanted to fix like the way the flowers looked and the way the food was set up but, those were small things she could fix in no time. Rosie smiled before walking off towards a group of her friends. "See, everything is fine." Lottie took a deep breath before rushing towards Sienna. "I am so sorry, there was an accident and a traffic jam and-- and I had to walk. And now I probably look like a mess--.." Lottie stopped talking and tried to slow down her speech before she got herself all worked up again. "But, everything looks awesome. And, thank you so much for keeping everything under control until I got here." She said with a smile before looking at the time on her phone. She took a deep breath as she looked at the time, fifteen minutes to spare. She opened her purse and grabbed out her note cards for her speech before looking back towards Sienna. "But, enough stress. Did I miss anything important?"
"Where were you?" Was the first thing that popped out of Esmee's mouth when Sienna returned from the lobby. The singer blinked for a second, taken aback by the unwavering stare from her sister. "Outside." Esmee frowned. "Why?" Sienna didn't say anything at first, just politely picked up her laptop. She needed to clear this area and make herself comfortable at one of the back tables so that she wouldn't be intruding too much on the event. Her job consisted of mostly social media things, which prompted the need for her computer. Esmee was there simply to give the Alvarez family check. Cynthia would have done it, but her and Colette had apparently already agreed upon some kind of luncheon or something along those lines. Rolling her eyes at the thought of whatever those women could be talking about, Sienna returned her attention to her sister.
"Just chill, Esmee. It's nothing to worry about," she told her and Esmee just stared in silence, not even moving. However, after a minute and only because she saw a familiar face approaching, Esmee conceded. "Fine. I'm going home with Yasmin tonight, so I won't be there when you get back." Esmee pecked her cheek gently before walking away to find her friends and Sienna honestly thought she was in the clear until someone tapped her on her shoulder. Which prompted a nice conversation with her vocal coach and sometimes songwriter, Autumn Rowe, who was at the event because she had been following Sienna's tweets.
Perhaps five minutes later, the two were parting ways and Sienna set her things up at a back table. Autumn would see her later at the studio. If she had allowed her gaze to roam over the guests already filing in, she would have seen Jane grudgingly with her father and Nicole, and Carolina being a diligent and charismatic secretary. She did, though, note when her phone buzzed. It was on silent just for the event and therefore, did not make any sound other than vibrating. So, she peered down to see messages from both Carolina and Jane.
To: Carolina
Should b on her way
To: Jane
Poor J. I'm at 1 of the back tables
To: Piper
Come entertain me
She tried focusing on that - the fact that she would have friends soon and that it would all be fine and dandy. However, her mind was still wrapped around the prospects of speaking with Vincent. Despite how unaffected she had tried to seem in Esmee's presence, Sienna could feel the knot forming in her stomach, twisting and pressing so hard against her core that she had to grip the table for a moment to steady herself. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe the current location was the worst place for them to have this conversation - whatever this conversation was supposed to be. Maybe she should cancel. Maybe -
Charlotte brought her from her internal freak out session and Sienna had to plaster a smile on her face, though she doubted if Charlotte would even understand the gratefulness Sienna felt. She couldn't help but laugh a little at Charlotte's talking fast and worrying, a trait Sienna knew all too well when she was the one hosting parties and events. A natural control freak in that regard, Sienna smiled knowingly. "No problem, Madam President. This going to be great, you're great, and I still doubt there'll be a better SGA team once we leave." She said and peered back at her computer to see a few retweets on the Constance Twitter page when Charlotte asked her last question. Sienna tensed only for a second before dragging her eyes up to Charlotte's. Should she tell her that she was supposed to be talking to Vincent? That Rick had dragged her into it? Obviously, some part of her brain was adamant on not telling the truth (even though it was obvious that Sienna wasn't the best of liars in every day situations) because what fell out of her mouth was, "W-whaaat? No. Everything's fine..." Everything wasn't fine and in an attempt to brush off the fact that her voice very much did go up an octave, she added while gesturing to Charlotte's notecards, "How's the address coming along anyway?"
"Just chill, Esmee. It's nothing to worry about," she told her and Esmee just stared in silence, not even moving. However, after a minute and only because she saw a familiar face approaching, Esmee conceded. "Fine. I'm going home with Yasmin tonight, so I won't be there when you get back." Esmee pecked her cheek gently before walking away to find her friends and Sienna honestly thought she was in the clear until someone tapped her on her shoulder. Which prompted a nice conversation with her vocal coach and sometimes songwriter, Autumn Rowe, who was at the event because she had been following Sienna's tweets.
Perhaps five minutes later, the two were parting ways and Sienna set her things up at a back table. Autumn would see her later at the studio. If she had allowed her gaze to roam over the guests already filing in, she would have seen Jane grudgingly with her father and Nicole, and Carolina being a diligent and charismatic secretary. She did, though, note when her phone buzzed. It was on silent just for the event and therefore, did not make any sound other than vibrating. So, she peered down to see messages from both Carolina and Jane.
To: Carolina
Should b on her way
To: Jane
Poor J. I'm at 1 of the back tables
To: Piper
Come entertain me
She tried focusing on that - the fact that she would have friends soon and that it would all be fine and dandy. However, her mind was still wrapped around the prospects of speaking with Vincent. Despite how unaffected she had tried to seem in Esmee's presence, Sienna could feel the knot forming in her stomach, twisting and pressing so hard against her core that she had to grip the table for a moment to steady herself. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe the current location was the worst place for them to have this conversation - whatever this conversation was supposed to be. Maybe she should cancel. Maybe -
Charlotte brought her from her internal freak out session and Sienna had to plaster a smile on her face, though she doubted if Charlotte would even understand the gratefulness Sienna felt. She couldn't help but laugh a little at Charlotte's talking fast and worrying, a trait Sienna knew all too well when she was the one hosting parties and events. A natural control freak in that regard, Sienna smiled knowingly. "No problem, Madam President. This going to be great, you're great, and I still doubt there'll be a better SGA team once we leave." She said and peered back at her computer to see a few retweets on the Constance Twitter page when Charlotte asked her last question. Sienna tensed only for a second before dragging her eyes up to Charlotte's. Should she tell her that she was supposed to be talking to Vincent? That Rick had dragged her into it? Obviously, some part of her brain was adamant on not telling the truth (even though it was obvious that Sienna wasn't the best of liars in every day situations) because what fell out of her mouth was, "W-whaaat? No. Everything's fine..." Everything wasn't fine and in an attempt to brush off the fact that her voice very much did go up an octave, she added while gesturing to Charlotte's notecards, "How's the address coming along anyway?"
A glass of orange juice and two slices of cold pizza served as a balanced breakfast for Brent. Aside from the ever present, annoying buzzing sound coming from their old air conditioner and the droning sound of the television that he had left on, the apartment was silent. Cameron and his girlfriend were either at her apartment or still passed out from a night of drugs and drinking in his bed. He wasn't sure and didn't care enough to walk down the hall and find out. Brent was still fairly hungover from last night's affairs but he was more tired than anything. He left the party around midnight after getting a call from his brother insisting that he had to go down to Chinatown to deliver an order. By that point, Brent had made all the money he could off of Hailey's guests, and he did score a little over $300 by going to Chinatown, but it was still a long trip to make drunk. Plus, he didn't get a chance to talk to Piper or Jane, and that was making him feel even more exhausted this morning. He needed the money that Jane was going to bring with her addiction. He needed it. There was no way around it and if Piper wanted to keep being iffy and not give him a definite answer on whether she would help or not, he would get her hooked again on his own. He remembered how sick she had been just a few months ago and though he knew her main issues weren't being an addict, he was sure that her problems were just as hard to be fixed. Three months away could not break her body image issues and if it came down to it, he was more than willing to provoke her into thinking she needed to lose weight. It was wrong, but that so was life, and it was about time that one of the Upper East Side's spoiled little princesses faced the harsh reality of the real world.
Today would be the day that he got that business back. Even in his hungover stupor, he didn't forget the stupid little charity event that Charlotte was throwing. He had taunted her over it the night before and promised, with a devilish grin, that he would see her there. No amount of security guards or threats from her were going to stop him, because not only did he want to bug her by showing up, but he needed to speak with Jane and Piper together. He didn't know what better time to do that than at a public event, considering that Jane probably planned on never meeting up with him again. Here, he could force her to talk to him and with the help of Piper, force her to buy from him.
For someone who was proclaimed for her intelligence, Charlotte sure was dumb for warning Brent that "they" would never let someone dressed like him into her event anyway. He took the warning to heart more than the insult, and took it upon himself to fish out a nicer pair of clothes from his brother's closet late last night. The outfit wasn't fancy, but compared to Brent's normal jeans and a t-shirt or leather jacket look, it made him feel like he was on his way to a wedding. It was around 1:15 when Brent strolled in, an easy smile on his face when - what do you know? No one stopped him and told him to get lost. He wished that Charlotte was standing there to watch him take his victory steps into the large ballroom, but he doubted he would find the uptight president in the sea of snooty luncheon guests. She was probably in the back somewhere, talkin' in her silly, little southern accent as she freaked out over some unimportant detail.
Brent was too busy priding himself in one-upping the blonde again to notice what the charity event was benefiting in the first place. ALS. It was the disease that was taking away everything from his mother, day by day, and the disease that had torn his family apart around four years ago. Brent got a front row seat to witness the horrors of the disease, and a front row seat to witness the good that charities like this were doing for ALS research funding and support of families. It was the very one that was being featured today that had gotten his mother a space in the clinical trial down south, and donated plane tickets to he and his brother to visit his parents for Christmas a few months back. Had he known this, he might not have been so eager to approach a fellow Saint Jude's student who he remembered hadn't bought from him last night, hoping to make an easy sale when the kid's back was turned. He also might have waited to text Piper and to text Charlotte, including a picture attachment to prove he was there, but he didn't know, so he didn't care.
To: Piper
Wya? U talk to Jane today and u get ur money for ur party, or I talk to her and I just keep the money for myself. Ur choice Pipes. Im just tryna help a friend but ur choice!
To: Charlotte
These table centerpieces are really nice. What kind of flowers r they?
"Vincent, sweetheart, I know that Sydney is a pretty girl. You're just like your father with that, always being attracted to the pretty faces, but she's no Sienna. You know that, I know that, everyone I know knows that, so you can understand why it's so hard for me to see you doing this to your future."
"Mom, would you just relax? I'm not 'doing' anything. What happened, happened and I get that it was screwed up, but can you just stop talking about it for five minutes?"
"Do we even know if Sydney wants to have kids? You know I need grand kids, Vincent, and Cynthia and I already discussed names and everything!" Colette continued on as if she hadn't even heard her son's plea, and it was quite possible that she didn't. She had been so wrapped up in trying to get more out of him about Sienna that it was impossible for him to get more than a few words in over the course of their fifteen minute conversation.
"Why don't you focus on un-gaying your other son, and maybe you'll get a grand kid or two out of him?" Vincent was so lucky that his quiet murmur was drowned out by his mother thanking the waiter who had just set another glass of Pinot Grigio was set in front of her. It would have turned his melodramatic mother into an equally melodramatic one, but with far more rage.
"And think of the wedding! Oh God, Vincent, how is it that I'm the only one at this table who sees how bad this is?" She took a large gulp of her wine in an attempt to wash the sorrows away. Vincent, sitting opposite of her, only rolled his eyes as he took the last bite of his club sandwich. He understood that she loved Sienna like a daughter and probably would never accept her not becoming her daughter-in-law. Colette was an emotional woman, but she was a good mom. She almost always sided with Vincent and his sometimes stupid or reckless actions, and liked to call herself his "biggest fan". The Sienna situation was one of the very few times that she criticized her first born's choices and it was apparent that nothing he could say to his mother was going to get her off his back. He needed to make things right by Sienna if he wanted to ever have a peaceful lunch again.
"We'll take the check, now," he said, catching the eye of their waiter passing by. His mother had finished her salad minutes ago, he was finished with his meal, and god only knew that she did not need anymore win in her petite body when it wasn't even two o'clock. His mother, again, didn't seem to notice him opening his mouth and continued on.
"Even your father agreed with me that this is just unacceptable, Vince. We raised you better than this!" Vincent was sure that that was either a lie, or that his father had just nodded along during his mother's rant like Vincent was close to doing now. His dad didn't care. His eyes were probably glued to his phone as she went on and on about how their future grandchildren were never going to be born now. He wanted to roll his eyes again, but now that Colette's wine glass was empty, her eyes seemed to be glued to his face. She was probably looking for a reaction from him, for his blank expression to crack and him to agree that she was so right and he needed to run back to Sienna this instant. He wasn't going to do that, though. He wasn't set on not talking to her and hearing her side of the story, but she had ignored his calls yesterday when he thought he was being the bigger person by calling in the first place. If she wanted to talk, she could reach out to him now.
Speak of the devil...
His phone was on vibrate mode and as his mother continued on about Sienna, he pulled the now-buzzing device out of his pocket to find Sienna's contact photo lighting up on the screen.
"The lacrosse coach from Yale is calling, so I'm going to go out and take it, alright?"
A small smile appeared on Colette's face. Apparently, a big name school calling her son was the only thing to get her to let go of the Sienna controversy for the moment. She shooed him off without another word, and Vincent made a beeline for the restaurant's front door as he answered the call. And just as soon as the call started, it ended. Sienna had spoken quickly and didn't give him a chance to say a single word as she explained that she was at an event, which Vincent assumed was Charlotte's, and that she was free to talk if he wanted to. Vincent had no intentions of going to the event. In fact, that had been what his mother had complained to him about for the first fifteen minutes of their conversation. She and Phil had come into the city for the event, expecting to take Vincent with them, but after he refused, the patriarch of the family went solo while Colette interrogated Vincent over lunch. She didn't buy his excuse of "not feeling well" and had instantly launched into her suspicion that he wasn't going because he wanted to avoid Sienna. Far too much liquor the night before left him genuinely feeling ill, but she was right that avoiding Sienna might have had something to do with it too.
To: Sienna
I had to take care of something with my mom so I'm not going to the event. I'm on the other side of town. Sorry. Want to get dinner or something later?
Over the past two days, his mood was constantly fluctuating between wanting to show up at Sienna's door with a hundred roses and a box of chocolates and tell her that he was so stupid for sleeping with Sydney and for even having to think about who he wanted. He wanted her and that was how it had always been, and would always be. Hearing her voice for the first time in a day or so had him close to that place again, but he also still felt like she had done wrong by completely ruining his relationship with Sydney in the process of outing their relationship. It was well deserved and he didn't have much ground to stand on in being mad, but he was confused and didn't know what to do.
In a move that even he was surprised at, he didn't slip his phone back into his pocket and instead, called Jane. If anyone knew Sienna and Sydney best, it was that girl. She was the best friend to each of them, separately and by now, he was sure that she had to have heard from both girls. She would know how they were really reacting and what the safest move would be. On the second ring, his mother appeared, but he waved her off, claiming that the conversation with the coach was important and that he would catch a cab on his own when it was finished.
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L O C A T I O N : Hotel Plaza Athenee, Manhattan, New York
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Charlotte took a deep breath out and nodded as Sienna told her everything was going to be great. "No problem, Madam President. This going to be great, you're great, and I still doubt there'll be a better SGA team once we leave." Thank God Sienna was being so calm because Charlotte was freaking out all through her head all these worries started racing around. "What if no one shows? What if I mess up my speech? Shit, what if no one donates and I have to go to the ALS foundation empty handed? I can't go empty handed! I'll look like an idiot! Hell, I might even get impeached if that happens! What... What Sienna talking to me." She turned her attention back Sienna who started acting really weird when she asked if everything was okay between her. "W-whaaat? No. Everything's fine..."
As she stuttered to answer Charlotte raised an eyebrow, looked her up and down before letting her icy blue eyes return to her friend's eyes. She was hiding something. "How's the address coming along anyway?" The Southern girl licked her red lips before smirking. Oh, she was definitely hiding something and Lottie was going to find out! "Oh! It's comin' along just fine. You sure everything's okay? Nothin', Nothin' at all is happen'?" She asked her friend as she moved a bit closer and looked down at her.
"Charlotte! Charlotte, come quick! The flowers are here but... we might have a... small problem." Rosie said as she ran up to her sister and grabbed her arm and pulled her along without giving the girl a chance to think. "Somethin' is goin' on with you and I will find out what it is, Sienna." Lottie said pointing to her friend with a wink before turning in her sister's direction to see the 'small' problem. The flowers were too long! Perfect, just perfect. Just what I need right now." Tori got up from the tons of flowers before looking at Lottie. Charlotte groaned as she reached in her bag and handed Rosie a pair of scissors. "Easy, start cuttin'. I'm gonna give this florist heck." Lottie stated before marching out towards the woman who was about to leave.
~~~~~
After a thirty minute debate/argument with the woman who thought Lottie was just another blonde airhead. Lottie soon got the flowers cut to the perfect length and got the price cut in half because of her debating skills... And the fact that she threatened to call the dean and her father who knew enough people to ruin her business. Yea, she pulled the 'daddy' card. She wasn't actually going to do it but, it was enough to making the florist fear losing some much business once hearing her father's name. And with that done, the event had started off great. Lottie was socializing with all the people she could and was making great impressions which was always a good thing.
By the time one had rolled around everything was going perfect. They were getting huge donations, everyone seemed to be impressed and more than anything there has been not one sighting of Brent. Which made Lottie breath a lot easier since she sort of realized something in the video she planned on showing of people and families living with the disease and how donations help pay for everything and help the family make it month to month. She wasn't afraid of him, she just didn't want to hear it especially something she had no control over. But, of course Rosie had a sighting and rushed to warn her sister who was busy talking to the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo. "Lottie, we have a small problem." Rosie said in a hushed tone as she stood behind her sister, she locked eyes with the man for a second who sort of looked confused and Rosie just smiled towards him before turning her attention back to her sister just as the governor turned his back to say hello to a friend of his. "Not now, Rose." Lottie said through a smile before turning towards her sister for a brief moment. "But, you told me to tell you when--.."
"Rose, not now." Lottie said right before focusing back on the man as he started to turn back towards her. She shook his hand before he excused himself to go and look around the venue. "Of course! It was very nice meetin' you, Governor Cuomo!" When he walked away, Lottie lost her smile as she grabbed her sister by the arm towards a corner of the huge ballroom. "What is it, Rose?" Rose messed with her freshly done nails as she answered. "I just saw Brent."
"Shit." Rosie's mouth hung open as she looked at her sister in disbelief. "Lottie!" Lottie threw her hands up in frustration. "Well, I'm sorry. Lottie Buchanan just said shit and she just said it again. Look, I do not have time to run in circles with him. I'll take care of--.." The girl stopped talking when she got a text, thinking it was from Connor only to see a picture of the centerpiece and a text from of course, Brent Barclay. She growled softly before putting her phone back in her bag and rubbing her temple. "Where was he?"
"I think he was getting right to business." Lottie groaned before walking off and texting Brent back. "The video's going up in like five or ten minutes. Good luck!" Rosie said before talking under her breath. "You're gonna need it."
To : Barclay
There calla lilies and sunflowers and when I find you, I swear I'm going to wrap my hands around your neck.
Jesus! One day! Just one freakin' day, Brent couldn't stop being an ass and let Lottie just do what she did best?! Of course not, because that would help her life instead of make it more irritating. She looked around, keeping a smile on her face as she waved towards several board members from the school board. It took her a few minutes but, she finally found him near a table with St. Jude boys. Huh for once he actually dressed like he belonged in New York and Lottie couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and look him up and down. "So that's how he snuck in." When she walked up to the table with a smile, already knowing the boys had saw her coming from the way they slyly took in the red dress that hugged her curves and the red lipstick that only brought more attention to her lips and face than already. She smiled as a few said hi to her before grabbing Brent's arm. "Hey guys, ya'll don't mind if I steal this little criminal away for a few minutes, do ya?" From the smirks that grew on their faces, she knew what they thought she meant but, she didn't have time to argue with them about why she needed to talk to Brent. "By all means, Lottie."
"Thanks guys. C'mon, Barclay, let's talk for a minute." She pulled him away and out of the ballroom just so no one would bring attention to the two. As she walked she didn't look at him, already know there was either a smug look on his face, an annoyed look on his face, or a mixture of the two and Lottie didn't need to get any more irritated. "Must you antagonize everywhere I go, Brent?" She pulled him in a hallway not too far but, not too close to the room where people could just walk out and see them talking. She released his arm before bringing her hands up to her mouth. "Now, I know you don't give a damn about me or my school or my causes or my little events but this is the most important event of the year, the most important event I have ever thrown," She stated as she smiled a bit at how proud she was of the event but, the smile soon disappear once she moved close to him and poked his chest. "And I do not need you and your cheap little street drugs fucking it up.
As she stuttered to answer Charlotte raised an eyebrow, looked her up and down before letting her icy blue eyes return to her friend's eyes. She was hiding something. "How's the address coming along anyway?" The Southern girl licked her red lips before smirking. Oh, she was definitely hiding something and Lottie was going to find out! "Oh! It's comin' along just fine. You sure everything's okay? Nothin', Nothin' at all is happen'?" She asked her friend as she moved a bit closer and looked down at her.
"Charlotte! Charlotte, come quick! The flowers are here but... we might have a... small problem." Rosie said as she ran up to her sister and grabbed her arm and pulled her along without giving the girl a chance to think. "Somethin' is goin' on with you and I will find out what it is, Sienna." Lottie said pointing to her friend with a wink before turning in her sister's direction to see the 'small' problem. The flowers were too long! Perfect, just perfect. Just what I need right now." Tori got up from the tons of flowers before looking at Lottie. Charlotte groaned as she reached in her bag and handed Rosie a pair of scissors. "Easy, start cuttin'. I'm gonna give this florist heck." Lottie stated before marching out towards the woman who was about to leave.
~~~~~
After a thirty minute debate/argument with the woman who thought Lottie was just another blonde airhead. Lottie soon got the flowers cut to the perfect length and got the price cut in half because of her debating skills... And the fact that she threatened to call the dean and her father who knew enough people to ruin her business. Yea, she pulled the 'daddy' card. She wasn't actually going to do it but, it was enough to making the florist fear losing some much business once hearing her father's name. And with that done, the event had started off great. Lottie was socializing with all the people she could and was making great impressions which was always a good thing.
By the time one had rolled around everything was going perfect. They were getting huge donations, everyone seemed to be impressed and more than anything there has been not one sighting of Brent. Which made Lottie breath a lot easier since she sort of realized something in the video she planned on showing of people and families living with the disease and how donations help pay for everything and help the family make it month to month. She wasn't afraid of him, she just didn't want to hear it especially something she had no control over. But, of course Rosie had a sighting and rushed to warn her sister who was busy talking to the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo. "Lottie, we have a small problem." Rosie said in a hushed tone as she stood behind her sister, she locked eyes with the man for a second who sort of looked confused and Rosie just smiled towards him before turning her attention back to her sister just as the governor turned his back to say hello to a friend of his. "Not now, Rose." Lottie said through a smile before turning towards her sister for a brief moment. "But, you told me to tell you when--.."
"Rose, not now." Lottie said right before focusing back on the man as he started to turn back towards her. She shook his hand before he excused himself to go and look around the venue. "Of course! It was very nice meetin' you, Governor Cuomo!" When he walked away, Lottie lost her smile as she grabbed her sister by the arm towards a corner of the huge ballroom. "What is it, Rose?" Rose messed with her freshly done nails as she answered. "I just saw Brent."
"Shit." Rosie's mouth hung open as she looked at her sister in disbelief. "Lottie!" Lottie threw her hands up in frustration. "Well, I'm sorry. Lottie Buchanan just said shit and she just said it again. Look, I do not have time to run in circles with him. I'll take care of--.." The girl stopped talking when she got a text, thinking it was from Connor only to see a picture of the centerpiece and a text from of course, Brent Barclay. She growled softly before putting her phone back in her bag and rubbing her temple. "Where was he?"
"I think he was getting right to business." Lottie groaned before walking off and texting Brent back. "The video's going up in like five or ten minutes. Good luck!" Rosie said before talking under her breath. "You're gonna need it."
To : Barclay
There calla lilies and sunflowers and when I find you, I swear I'm going to wrap my hands around your neck.
Jesus! One day! Just one freakin' day, Brent couldn't stop being an ass and let Lottie just do what she did best?! Of course not, because that would help her life instead of make it more irritating. She looked around, keeping a smile on her face as she waved towards several board members from the school board. It took her a few minutes but, she finally found him near a table with St. Jude boys. Huh for once he actually dressed like he belonged in New York and Lottie couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and look him up and down. "So that's how he snuck in." When she walked up to the table with a smile, already knowing the boys had saw her coming from the way they slyly took in the red dress that hugged her curves and the red lipstick that only brought more attention to her lips and face than already. She smiled as a few said hi to her before grabbing Brent's arm. "Hey guys, ya'll don't mind if I steal this little criminal away for a few minutes, do ya?" From the smirks that grew on their faces, she knew what they thought she meant but, she didn't have time to argue with them about why she needed to talk to Brent. "By all means, Lottie."
"Thanks guys. C'mon, Barclay, let's talk for a minute." She pulled him away and out of the ballroom just so no one would bring attention to the two. As she walked she didn't look at him, already know there was either a smug look on his face, an annoyed look on his face, or a mixture of the two and Lottie didn't need to get any more irritated. "Must you antagonize everywhere I go, Brent?" She pulled him in a hallway not too far but, not too close to the room where people could just walk out and see them talking. She released his arm before bringing her hands up to her mouth. "Now, I know you don't give a damn about me or my school or my causes or my little events but this is the most important event of the year, the most important event I have ever thrown," She stated as she smiled a bit at how proud she was of the event but, the smile soon disappear once she moved close to him and poked his chest. "And I do not need you and your cheap little street drugs fucking it up.
Piper Vine
After her lunch with Brent, Piper had mixed feelings. Sure she needed money for her fast approaching party, but she felt just a little bit bad about possibly betraying Jane. It's not like the girl would find out right? Either way she needed to figure out what she was going to do and do it fast. Seriously why did things have to be so confusing already and school practically just began?
Whenever her phone vibrated Piper ignored whoever it was as she arrived home. Just as she was going to suggest shopping with Jane, she noticed a letter addressed to her on her desk. Furrowing her eyebrows, she tore the letter open and her mouth practically hung open. Seriously too much drama was happening. It was a letter from her biological father. Piper didn't think she could read it. Her hands started shaking just thinking about what he possibly could've written to her. She kept the letter in hand as she walked to her brother's room and banged on his door loudly.
"Jesus what is it?" Thomas opened the door with a frown. from the look of it he was taking a nap. "Look! It's from father." Piper waved the mail in front of her brother's face and he didn't hesitate to snatch it from her to see if she was just playing with him. But she was telling the truth. "You read it and tell me what it says. My heart is racing like hell." Piper followed her brother into his room and he sat on his bed while she took residence on the floor. Thomas quickly started reading and his eyes looked like he was about to cry. "What? What is it?" Piper looked at her younger sibling with deep concern. "He wants to meet us. He said that he knew you had been trying to find him and that he will be here in New York tomorrow." Thomas rubbed his eyes and smiled brightly. "What?! Seriously he wants to meet us!" Piper jumped up and took the letter back and quickly read over it. "Thomas do you know what this means?" Piper screamed with excitement. "Yeah maybe he will take us back and we can live with him and mom!" Piper nodded her head to her brother's statement. "This is our chance! Oh my god what am I going to wear? From previous research our dad is an heir to a major wine empire so maybe he's the super sophisticated type? Or the 'I'm super rich but don't show it type'? Which do you think?" Piper ranted as she started pacing the room.
Sure Hailey's party was tomorrow, but she would have to miss it. Piper thought about texting Carolina, but she wanted to see how everything would go first. "Well I should go to sleep now so I can get my beauty sleep for tomorrow!" Piper ran out of her brother's room to go do her nightly bed routine. Sure it was rather early, but it was either sleep now or stay up all night from pure excitement.
The next day Piper spent getting herself together to meet her biological father for dinner. She didn't tell Amy where her and Thomas were going to go and honestly she didn't care about the woman anymore. She was about to be out of this hell hole for good. After years of wondering about her parents she was going to finally see at least one of them. "Pipe let's go!" Thomas yelled at his sister as he waited for her by the apartment door. "All right all right." Piper decided to wear a simple floral dress. Sure the place they were going to was more upscale, but she didn't know what her father would be like so she went for a nice in between look.
Piper and Thomas took a taxi to a restaurant located in Manhattan and the place looked even more upscale than the images on the internet. "Maybe he is the type to flaunt his wealth." Thomas mumbled as he suddenly felt severely underdressed. The front of the establishment had floor to ceiling glass windows. One could see the crystal glass chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and the small tables decorated with lavish flower center pieces. Piper glanced at her brother and he just shook his head. This was a place really far out of their price range. Piper and Thomas walked up to the front doors where two men stood and opened the doors for them both. Piper was so nervous she was certain it showed on her face.
"How are you miss? Welcome and how may I help you?" A server questioned Piper and she felt her mouth go dry. "We are here to meet a George Vine." Thomas spoke in his sister's place. "Oh he is in one of our private rooms. One of our servers will lead you to him. Please enjoy your meal." The man bowed as an attractive blonde woman approached the siblings and lead them towards the back of the restaurant. "Definitely the type to flaunt." Thomas whispered to Piper. She just nodded in response. This was unreal. She couldn't wait to tell Carolina. "Here you are." The woman smiled as she opened the door to reveal the private room. The room had dim lighting and it was nice and quiet. Sitting in the circular booth sat a man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties. It sounded like he was taking a business call, but he quickly dismissed whoever he was talking to once he heard the door open.
Piper and Thomas walked in and they were both practically speechless. "Hello, Piper and Thomas." The man greeted and flashed a pearly smile. Thomas looked just like George. they both had the same hair color and similar facial features. It would be hard for George to ever deny Thomas as being his child. This made Piper more curious about her mother. "Well have a seat." The man gestured for them to sit, and like always, Piper and Thomas sat side-by-side. After a brief moment of awkward silence, Thomas gained enough courage to speak up. "We've always dreamed of meeting you." Thomas tried to hide the wide grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Well I am that great once you get to know me." The man arrogantly spoke. Piper let it go in one ear and out the other, while Thomas was a bit taken aback by the remark.
"Why did you decide to meet us?" Piper decided now was the time to talk for once. George took a sip of his drink before clearing his throat. "So blunt like Clair. That is your other by the way. Why don't we eat first and then we'll talk." George smiled and just a she finished a waiter walked in to take everyone's orders. The following conversation as they ate was talking about Thomas and Piper's lives. How school was going and some of their favorite things to do. George also couldn't resist talking about how well business was going and how he planned to extend the company to New York. Finally they reached the end of their meal and Piper couldn't resist asking the same question from before. "So why did you want to meet us?" Piper tried to stifle her anticipation, but it was getting difficult.
"Yeah are you going to take us back?" Thomas was being a lot more straightforward than usual. George looked like he was being overwhelmed and chuckled nervously as he reached into his briefcase and pulled out two envelopes. He gave one to each of his children and waited for them to open them. Piper's brows knitted together as she peeled the envelope open and she saw a check for 20,000 dollars addressed to her. "What is this some kind of welcome back gift?" Piper felt her heart race because she didn't like where this was headed. "Well as I mentioned earlier our company is doing well and we are expanding in New York, so I had to come here. I decided to meet you guys while I was here." George smiled trying to gloss over the heart wrenching truth that was about to come.
"Wait so we were just an after thought?" Piper put the check down on the table and crossed her arms over her chest. "We thought you wanted to take us back. Why are you giving us such a large amount of money?" Thomas questioned right after his sister. "You two didn't honestly think I was here to take you back to Canada with me? Don't you think that is a bit unfair to me? I don't really know you two besides what my secretary told me about you. That is all besides the point. Company business is picking up and we don't need any scandals to break out." George pulled out his phone checking the time. "Wait this is hush money?! That's why you wanted to fucking meet with us? To shut us up?" Piper yelled with frustration. This was her moment and Thomas's as well. Now it was being ruined. "Come on Piper you're a bright girl. Imagine how it would look that I had two children I gave away and let be raised in multiple foster homes? On top of that you both have criminal records comprised of theft charges. Me and Clair weren't prepared for children." George started gathering his things wanting to remove himself from this situation.
"Y-you didn't want children yet you had two." Piper slammed her hands on the table as she rose to her feet. "Oh don't have a pity party. Having you was a mistake made from a one night stand and that one was the result of us thinking we could make it work. But we were wrong and have to give you two up." George referred to Thomas as 'that one' and Piper couldn't help but feel her eyes well up with tears. "Just take the money." George exited the room and Piper looked down at Thomas who had the expression of complete and utter torture. "Come on." Piper grabbed the checks and Thomas's hand. She left the private room and saw George in the middle of the restaurant heading straight for the door. She released her brother's hand as she approached George from behind. "Hey you fucking prick!" Piper yelled and it was as if the whole building became silent at the sudden outburst.
George turned around and was met with a harsh slap. The man was astonished and so were the people around the trio. "We don't want such a sorry excuse for a human being to be our father. You don't have the right to disown us like this. Take your stupid fucking checks and shove them up your ass." This behavior wasn't something Piper enjoyed displaying but she was beyond infuriated. She ripped both of the checks up and threw them at George. "We made it this far without you so we don't need you now." Piper grabbed her younger brother's hand and walked past the frozen George. Just as Piper reached the door she turned and looked at her 'father' one last time. "His name is Thomas by the way." With that the siblings left the restaurant to head back home.
The whole car ride consisted of Piper wiping her eyes, and her brother staring out at the city lights. Both of them waited so long for that specific moment, only to have it taken away from them so viciously. Once the duo arrived back at their apartment both went to their own rooms not even saying a word to one another. Both felt like idiots over how elated they were to finally meet their father. His words were something neither would forget.
The next morning Piper remember she had to go to Charlotte's event and she just didn't feel like doing that today. She just wanted to stay in her room at this point. Once again her phone buzzed and she saw it was from Brent. Honestly he was being relentless with this whole Jane thing. But something in Piper changed after last night, so maybe she will help him.
To Brent:
Fine. You'll get your drug addict back now stop bugging me about it.
To Carolina:
Me and Thomas met our biological father last night. Can you believe that prick tried to pay me and Thomas to keep our mouths shut?
Piper's eyes were extremely red from all of the crying she did last night, so she was going to use heavy eye make up today. She quickly got herself together, said goodbye to Thomas, and was out the door. After Piper arrived she looked around to see if Jane was there. She would have to ignore sienna for now because she needs to talk to Jane alone if she wants to get what she wants.
To Jane:
Where are you? I need to speak to you asap!
"Cheer up, Janie. Frowning gives you wrinkles," Nicole piped up as the trio entered the hotel's ballroom. It was decorated to perfection, which was expected considering who the hostess was, and by the looks of the guests in the room, it was apparent that Charlotte was probably going to surpass her target goal for donations. What Jane was most concerned about was getting her hands on one of the glasses of champagne that seemed to be circling around the room. She figured that the only way to kill this hangover and make the next couple of hours less boring was to start her buzz for the day early. To do that, though, she was going to need to get away from her father and stepmother, and the opportunity came sooner than she could have hoped for. Only a few feet into the ballroom did they stumble upon Mr. Huntington and his wife, Janice. Her father was very good friends with Sebastian Sr., which was the main reason why she was such good friends with Sebastian Jr. The two couples shared more than just having teenage children, though, and the distaste that Jane and Seb shared for their stepmothers was something they bonded over. Sebastian was no where in sight though, so after putting on an insincere smile and making a few minutes of small talk with the couple, she excused herself.
By now, Sienna had responded to her, saying she was at one of the back tables. Jane headed there, and unfortunately didn't cross paths with any cocktail waitresses before she found the blonde. Despite not feeling very cheerful, Jane smiled upon seeing her friend and wiggled her way into an empty seat beside her. "You look cute. Where's your dress from? You literally did wayyyy too much shopping without me over the summer and I'm jealous." Before Sienna could respond, Jane's attention was redirected to her phone that was vibrating inside of her clutch. "I think I should be the Queen Bee. Everyone is obsessed with me!" She joked with a dramatic roll of her eyes as she fished into the bag to retrieve it. When she saw the name flashing on her screen, she stared at it for a moment with confusion. She and Vincent weren't close. He was attractive and obnoxious, fun to have around at parties, but he broke her best friend's heart and had now ruined any bit of respect that Jane had for him by doing it with Sydney. She didn't think he had ever called her before this whole fight, and didn't think there was any reason for him to be calling her now. Without hesitation, Jane blurted out, "It's Vincent?" in a tone laced with enough confusion to make it sound more like a question than a statement. "You stay here and do your boring government leader association whatever it's called thing, and I'll tell you what he says!" It was wrong to leave Sienna hanging like that, but her friend hadn't even given her the story on what went down. She was owed an explanation and vowed to get it after this unexpected phone call.
When she had hurried far enough away from Sienna's table, she answered the call. "Hello?"
"Jane? It's Vincent."
"I know, I have caller ID."
"Right, right. Got a second to talk?"
"As long as it doesn't end in me sleeping with you too, then sure, I guess. What's up?" With a glass of champagne in hand, she was now feeling more patient. What harm could a little gossip do? Especially when she was getting it straight from the source.
"Well, I'm guessing you heard about... everything by now, and you know, you're closer to Sydney and Sienna than anyone else. I figured that maybe you've already heard both sides of the stories and can help me--"
"Um, I'm not going to 'help' you with anything after what you did to my friends."
"I just want to know who I should talk to. Sydney won't speak to me and I know I should have told her that Sienna knew about what we did right away, but Sienna promised she wasn't going to say anything. And then she did, and I guess it brought back all of the feelings of everything I did wrong to her, and I already apologized for all of that but--"
Jane sighed. "What do you want me to do, Vincent? Pick which one I think 'deserves' you? Because if that's the case, then I think that they both deserve far better than you. Sienna loves you. Everyone knows that. I don't want to say that it'll be easier to get her to forgive you, but I don't think she can stay mad at you for as long as Sydney can, and--"
"So I should talk to Sienna first, then? Even though I already apologized to her after all of this happened in the first place?"
"It's obviously still bothering her, and like, I can understand why since you still hang out with Sydney one on one. It's one thing to hang out in a group with her there because obviously it's like, impossible to completely ignored Sydney unless you want to have no social life, but hanging out with her one on one is so suspicious. And especially now that everyone knows what you two did, it just is like a slap in the face for Sienna to have to deal with that publicly."
"No, you're right, you're right. I mean, I wasn't hanging out with her one on one the other day."
"Are you the Vale's private chef now, or something?"
"What? No. Oh, that snapchat? That... that wasn't hanging out. It didn't start that way, at least. Look, that's not the point. So I'm going to talk to Sienna and see where that goes. That's your advice, right? So when she gouges out my eyes I can come back and blame you?"
"We both know that she's not going to do that to you. She's probably saving that aggression for your mistress."
"Very funny. Alright, well, thanks for the help."
Jane hung up before he even got half of his last sentence out. She had spotted Piper a few feet away and allowed her attention to stray from reporting back to Sienna to the redhead who she hadn't seen in what felt like forever. She hadn't even noticed Piper's text that had come in mid-call, but was glad to see her and her smile proved that. "Pipe! Yay, I'm so glad you're here too. I need someone who isn't in this stupid student government club to complain about how boring this is to. And my dad and Nicole are here, so I don't even think I'll be able to level out the boredom with these," she added, sipping her champagne glass. "Are your parents here too?" She asked, only now glancing down at her phone and reading the girl's text about wanting to talk. "Ooh, I just saw your text. What's up? I feel like I haven't spoken to you forever since you went MIA yesterday!"
Friday night was divided between dinner with her grandfather and a night at PH-D Rooftop Lounge with a couple of friends. They were all a couple of years older than Sydney, but had attended Constance Billard a few years back and were now enrolled in colleges in the city. They were the girls who had ensured that Sydney got the top seat when they graduated, and for that, she still had respect for them. Besides that though, they were fun girls to hang out with. There was always fresh gossip circulating in their conversations, and she felt like it was a breath of fresh air to surround herself with girls on her level. And like the current queen bee, these former queen bee's all agreed with Sydney that Sienna was a threat to her image and position. They reassured her that the skepticism that the rumor - and that was what Sydney had to claim it was - had caused was not going to be irreparable. Sienna had some minions of her own, but Sydney didn't need to change the minds of every dumb girl at Constance. She was the Queen Bee and Sienna Alvarez did not have the power to topple her. She didn't have that power freshman year or sophomore year or junior year, and she sure as hell wasn't going to have that power this year. Besides, she had already cleared her name with Jane and even though she claimed she would speak with Sienna and apologize for her wrongs soon, speaking with her older friends turned her against that decision. If she was going to stick to claiming that this was just a rumor... another example of Sienna being obsessed and jealous with her, then she was not going to apologize for anything. Or more realistically, maybe, she wasn't going to apologize for anything unless Sienna made the initiative and apologized first.
When morning came, Sydney was feeling good. She had texted a select few of her minions, telling them that the claim Sienna had anonymously made was completely false. It was an attempt at her to tarnish Sydney's image to distract everyone from how much of a whore she was herself. She only needed to text a couple of them for word to spread back to the others, and while Sydney knew that that alone wasn't going to be enough for the rumor to be squashed entirely, it was an okay start. At the very least, it gave her enough confidence to attend Charlotte's charity event without worrying about being in the same room as Sienna. So, when she pulled up with her grandfather at a quarter after one, the minimal smile on her face was close to genuine. There were nerves pulling at her stomach but she was confident that she still had the upper hand. If anyone should feel nervous about making an appearance around her, it should be Sienna.
To: Jane
I see Adrian and Nicole but where's my girl
???Rather than seek out Jane herself, she played the part of the model granddaughter and stood by her grandfather's side, offering meaningless chit chat to the conversation going on between him, Adrian and Nicole Lynch, and the Huntington's. She knew that she could have went to find Jane herself. Adrian said that she should be somewhere close by. But there was a good chance that Jane was with Sienna, and while Sydney was not scared of the unnatural blonde, she wasn't going to stoop down to her level and cause a scene at an upscale event. She could control her temper, but it had been proven many times before that Sienna was too emotional and impulsive for her own good, and for Charlotte's sake (and maybe the sake of her image), she wasn't going to put herself in that position.
It didn't take long for the class president to show up and ruin the fun. Even at her own event, when she probably had a million and one things to be worrying about, she gravitated towards him. The thought of how obsessed she was with him brought a smirk to his face before she excused the two of them from the group of guys and pulled him into a hallway. He pocketed the fifty dollars he had just made as his faze fell upon her exasperated expression. She was getting fired up and he was savoring every little bit of it, including when the patron saint herself cursed! If his smirk could grow any wider, it would have at that last remark. "I don't know if I'm just hallucinating from all of the cheap little street drugs, or what, but did New York's favorite southern belle just curse? At me, of all people?!" He faked an offended expression as his hands clutched his heart. "And here I was, thinking I could come out here to support you and who is it this time? Some hospital for kids with cancer? Or an animal shelter? and this is the warm welcome I get! I'm disappointed in you, Charlotte Buchanan. Especially after you practically begged me to come the other day in your text." He poked her in the shoulder to reciprocate her gesture, and decided against adding in a comment about how he would have poked her in the chest too, but that he didn't want to turn her on any more than his presence alone was clearly doing. A text from Piper diverted his attention from the blonde momentarily. Charlotte was fun to mess with but it was Piper who was going to give him the serious mood-lifter that he needed.
To: Piper
I knew you'd come around xD. Tell her its gonna cost however much ur gonna need for the party.
His smirk returned as he glanced back up at her, now allowing his eyes to obnoxiously rove over her appearance. "Red looks good on you, Buchanan. You should wear a dress like that when I take you out to dinner tomorrow. But for now, why don't you go rake in some more donations for PETA while I rake in some more donations for The Brent Barclay Foundation? Sound like a deal?" He flashed her his best attempt at a charming smile, torn between hurrying away to find Piper without giving her a chance to snap back at him, but also ready to hear the witty remark the blonde was sure to make.
Within minutes of sending her texts out, Carolina's phone was buzzing with responses from Sienna, Charlotte and Piper. Charlotte had arrived, thank god, but apparently not without some sort of struggle that she didn't want to discuss. Carolina's first guesses were that she either forgot her speech note cards at home and had[ to turn around last minute and race back to get them, or that she and Rosie were fighting over what Charlotte should wear. Either way, it was a huge relief to know that the class president was there. Every detail seemed to be planned out far in advance, but still, having Lottie present insured that everything would run flawlessly today. Not only that, but it meant that Rosie was now here too. As the treasurer, it was her role at an event like this to collect all of the donations and keep track of how well they were doing, and she could now reclaim her rightful seat from Victoria, the vice president that Carolina was not a fan of.
To: Lottie
Glad ur here!! Tori's been collecting the donations so far... so thank god Rosie's here now too
Sienna's message was the next one that she opened, and only confirmed what she now knew, that Lottie was on her way/already here. Although Carolina had seen Sienna last night, after Jane started the night off on a bad note (acting like no one knew Carolina and attempting to introduce her to them as if she were a stranger...), Carolina ended up hitting the bottle sooner than she would have liked. In an attempt to lift the night's vibe, she didn't try to talk to Sienna about any of the rumors that she was slowly hearing about. Not only did she not want to upset the blonde, but she wasn't sure that she really cared about the drama that Sienna was sure to fill her in on. She knew that she would probably end up regretting opening that can of worms as soon as Sienna started discussing the drama that would seem so trivial to Carolina. However, after the night a few day's back where Jane had sobbed to her about friend problems, Carolina was at least a little bit curious about what was really going on.
To: Sienna
Ok cool. What time did u end up getting home ln? i don't have much 2 compare it 2, but tell ur friend it was a fun party ;D
Lastly, she opened Piper's text, and this one had her standing up from the table she sat at. Carolina was somewhat aware of Piper's attempts to locate her birth parents. Carolina had never really been interested in locating her biological parents. She was happy with Nancy, the woman that was her mom for over ten years, and didn't want to know about the family that didn't want her. It was something that just seemed easier not knowing or worrying about, but it was something that many kids put into foster homes or up for adoption thought about. Piper was apparently one of the ones who weren't going to settle for not knowing, and Carolina could not even imagine how devastating it had to be for Piper to meet her father and for it to go so poorly. She wasn't quite sure what she meant with the "pay me and Thomas to keep our mouths shut" part, but she knew it wasn't a good thing.
To: Piper
Omg Pipe I'm so sorry girl. What do you mean he paid u to keep ur mouth shut? How did u find him? Are u at the SGA event? I'm heading to the back area. Come find me if you are, we need to talk about this D:!!!
As she typed her message to Piper, she did start her trek towards the back of the event room. A fellow SGA member had told her that Sienna was set up in the back of the room and certain that Charlotte was busy making up for lost time and unsure if Piper was even there, she thought finding Sienna was her best bet. They could figure out if anything else needed to be done - which seemed unlikely with their president now in attendance - and maybe, Carolina could get a healthy dose of gossip.
To: Sienna
Where r u? Coming to chat b4 the video goes on but lmk if Jane is there and I'll wait lmao
Sienna braced herself when Charlotte tossed her a determined gaze, opting to pay more attention to the clock as it winded down to the actual beginning of their little luncheon and the fact that, as she requested, there were tweets already surfacing. Reposting a few of them, she distracted herself with that task when the class president walked away in a hurry. A relieved breath expelled from her lungs as Sienna practically plopped into one of the chairs, biting her lower lip thoughtfully. She didn't understand why it felt necessary for her to keep it a secret that Vincent wanted to actually talk from Charlotte; over the years, Charlotte had proven that she was a much better friend than even Sydney sometimes. Yet and still, Sienna felt inclined - not to lie - but to protect. What she was protecting she did not know, but it only came natural. She would tell Charlotte, eventually, but for now she just needed time to process. More than that, she just needed to get through the day.
Jane arrived in her line of vision when Sienna was staring at her phone blankly, not really sure how to respond to Vincent's inquiries about dinner. Her fingers had already typed out her response, but her thumb seemed unwilling to press enter and instead, had pressed backspace. It was only a second in when Jane was standing right before her and smiling, causing Sienna to smile in return. Though, like Jane's, her smile did not hold the typical brightness it was known for. However, it was also in the presence of Jane that Sienna allowed herself to vanish thoughts of Vincent from her mind. She had to chuckle a bit at Jane talking a mile a minute, as usual, and didn't even attempt to answer Jane's questions. Besides, it was Jane who looked absolutely stunning and Sienna had half the mind to tell her that. A simple BCBG dress meant nothing to Sienna when Jane came dressed to impress. However, just as she was about to make her comment, Jane's curious gaze met hers and Sienna felt baffled. Why was Vincent calling Jane? Sienna even had to glance at her phone for a second in befuddlement because there was not another message from Vincent and he and Jane weren't close enough for him to randomly call. An irrational part of her mind taunted that maybe he had a thing for her whole friend group and Sienna never needed a drink so fast in her life, wrestling with Esmee over text message to find someone to get her champagne.
"If I knew you were looking like that, I would have been made my way over here," Ricardo leered from a few feet away and Sienna looked up, taking a shuddering breath in the midst of her internal freak out and eyeing the King Bee. "Don't you have some dignitaries to be charming with your Dad?" She sniped and Rick smirked, his eyes catching some little twinkle from the overhead chandelier and Sienna glowered at him for being unfairly attractive, and knowing it. "I see there's still an extra sparkle in your bitchiness today," he remarked, walking over in measured steps. Ricardo had arrived with his father some ten minutes ago and had weaved his way skillfully through a few upstanding members of the Upper East Side, laughing at a few humorless jokes and flirting with even a few married women, even under the eyes of their husbands. His father would be giving their donations and all he had to do was make an appearance. Which would have been preferable to make with two of his guys by his side, but with Connor MIA and Vincent having familial issues, he had no choice but to attend on his own. And what better way to spend his afternoon than antagonize the one person who was quite easy to antagonize?
Taking the now vacant seat beside Sienna, Rick had to smirk at how she attempted to scoot away from him, making sure that there was a sizeable distance between their shoulders. Leaning in, Rick inquired, "So, did you do as I instructed?" Sienna pressed her lips into a thin line, sucked her teeth, and then stared at her laptop, busy making posts and reposting various tweets from other people. She couldn't wait for some of the students to filter in their photos so she could repost those as well. "Doesn't matter if I did or didn't. He wants to meet for dinner and I can't. I have work." She almost included an insult, something to rile Ricardo up because she knew it would and his presence was not soothing to her at the moment. It was just annoying. Ricardo's eyes narrowed for a second and without another word, he scooped Sienna's phone up and was on his feet before she could utter a word. "Give me my phone, Rick!" It was a loud hiss, but not a yell, and Sienna was glaring full daggers at him now. But Ricardo was not paying her any mind, swatting her reaching hands away while simultaneously sending out a message from her phone.
To: Vincent
Dinner works. Just come around by place by 6 if you can.
"There, all done," Ricardo exclaimed and lowered her phone, allowing Sienna to snatch it out of his grasp. Her eyes flew wide open at the text she now could not retract because it was already sent and delivered, and she glared at Rick. "I have work - " Ricardo immediately cut her off, "That you can miss." There was a glint in his eyes and a knowing grin on his mouth and Sienna wanted to claw it all away. "Leave it to me."Was the last thing he said before going off into the crowd and Sienna grumbled to herself about nosy bastards and meddling jackasses. Honestly, who the hell did Ricardo think he was? And he knew what he was doing because now, she couldn't even reject dinner with Vincent. Telling him that it was a joke would make her seem even meaner after ignoring him as she had and while she originally was willing to continue her trek of ignoring him, the text made it impossible now. Not long after Rick left, a champagne glass was placed on her table and Sienna immediately set to sipping it, trying to hold a little sense of propriety.
In the meantime, Rick worked his way back through the various guests, not really in a rush. It was quite easy to get Sienna out of her next Sunday engagement. Her employer was not one of the richest men in the world, Rick's father was. And what better way to monopolize the time of a man who was one of the biggest name in the recording business than to set up a possible business venture between him and the third richest man in the world? However, that would have to wait for his eyes landed on a stunning blonde. Walking up to her calmly with a knowing smirk, Rick stepped before Mr. Vale first, shaking the man's hands while saying, "It's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Vale. Glad to see you could make it to this illustrious event." After exchanging a few pleasantries with the Vale patriarch while casting Sydney a rather lascicious wink, Ricardo turned his full attention on her as her grandfather became distracted with a golfing buddy. "I knew I couldn't let the day go by without paying my respects to the most gorgeous woman in the room. And how are you, Sydney?"
Back with Sienna, she was busy going through her phone, garnering messages from followers, classmates, and a few of her minions, all claiming that the rumor mill stated that Sienna was spreading lies. It was a surprise that none of her girls were against her, and maybe it was a shared disdain for Sydney as opposed to fully liking Sienna, she didn't know. But the point of the matter was that it had been there. Even if she made Victoria take the post away and Sydney had everyone hear her claim that nothing about it was true, the seeds of doubt had been planted. Sydney may think that Sienna was too emotional to pull certain things off, but there was a reason why she was one of the best in social media at their school. Because she knew how it worked. So, she was fine with girls thinking she lied. It was a welcome distraction from the knot forming in her stomach and needing more, she sent out a few texts.
To: Victoria
The fact that you're still working money when you should be mixing and mingling baffles me. Come here
To: Carolina
Closest table to the left window
To: Jane
Come baaaaaaaaack!
To: Ricky
Btw I hate u
Jane arrived in her line of vision when Sienna was staring at her phone blankly, not really sure how to respond to Vincent's inquiries about dinner. Her fingers had already typed out her response, but her thumb seemed unwilling to press enter and instead, had pressed backspace. It was only a second in when Jane was standing right before her and smiling, causing Sienna to smile in return. Though, like Jane's, her smile did not hold the typical brightness it was known for. However, it was also in the presence of Jane that Sienna allowed herself to vanish thoughts of Vincent from her mind. She had to chuckle a bit at Jane talking a mile a minute, as usual, and didn't even attempt to answer Jane's questions. Besides, it was Jane who looked absolutely stunning and Sienna had half the mind to tell her that. A simple BCBG dress meant nothing to Sienna when Jane came dressed to impress. However, just as she was about to make her comment, Jane's curious gaze met hers and Sienna felt baffled. Why was Vincent calling Jane? Sienna even had to glance at her phone for a second in befuddlement because there was not another message from Vincent and he and Jane weren't close enough for him to randomly call. An irrational part of her mind taunted that maybe he had a thing for her whole friend group and Sienna never needed a drink so fast in her life, wrestling with Esmee over text message to find someone to get her champagne.
"If I knew you were looking like that, I would have been made my way over here," Ricardo leered from a few feet away and Sienna looked up, taking a shuddering breath in the midst of her internal freak out and eyeing the King Bee. "Don't you have some dignitaries to be charming with your Dad?" She sniped and Rick smirked, his eyes catching some little twinkle from the overhead chandelier and Sienna glowered at him for being unfairly attractive, and knowing it. "I see there's still an extra sparkle in your bitchiness today," he remarked, walking over in measured steps. Ricardo had arrived with his father some ten minutes ago and had weaved his way skillfully through a few upstanding members of the Upper East Side, laughing at a few humorless jokes and flirting with even a few married women, even under the eyes of their husbands. His father would be giving their donations and all he had to do was make an appearance. Which would have been preferable to make with two of his guys by his side, but with Connor MIA and Vincent having familial issues, he had no choice but to attend on his own. And what better way to spend his afternoon than antagonize the one person who was quite easy to antagonize?
Taking the now vacant seat beside Sienna, Rick had to smirk at how she attempted to scoot away from him, making sure that there was a sizeable distance between their shoulders. Leaning in, Rick inquired, "So, did you do as I instructed?" Sienna pressed her lips into a thin line, sucked her teeth, and then stared at her laptop, busy making posts and reposting various tweets from other people. She couldn't wait for some of the students to filter in their photos so she could repost those as well. "Doesn't matter if I did or didn't. He wants to meet for dinner and I can't. I have work." She almost included an insult, something to rile Ricardo up because she knew it would and his presence was not soothing to her at the moment. It was just annoying. Ricardo's eyes narrowed for a second and without another word, he scooped Sienna's phone up and was on his feet before she could utter a word. "Give me my phone, Rick!" It was a loud hiss, but not a yell, and Sienna was glaring full daggers at him now. But Ricardo was not paying her any mind, swatting her reaching hands away while simultaneously sending out a message from her phone.
To: Vincent
Dinner works. Just come around by place by 6 if you can.
"There, all done," Ricardo exclaimed and lowered her phone, allowing Sienna to snatch it out of his grasp. Her eyes flew wide open at the text she now could not retract because it was already sent and delivered, and she glared at Rick. "I have work - " Ricardo immediately cut her off, "That you can miss." There was a glint in his eyes and a knowing grin on his mouth and Sienna wanted to claw it all away. "Leave it to me."Was the last thing he said before going off into the crowd and Sienna grumbled to herself about nosy bastards and meddling jackasses. Honestly, who the hell did Ricardo think he was? And he knew what he was doing because now, she couldn't even reject dinner with Vincent. Telling him that it was a joke would make her seem even meaner after ignoring him as she had and while she originally was willing to continue her trek of ignoring him, the text made it impossible now. Not long after Rick left, a champagne glass was placed on her table and Sienna immediately set to sipping it, trying to hold a little sense of propriety.
In the meantime, Rick worked his way back through the various guests, not really in a rush. It was quite easy to get Sienna out of her next Sunday engagement. Her employer was not one of the richest men in the world, Rick's father was. And what better way to monopolize the time of a man who was one of the biggest name in the recording business than to set up a possible business venture between him and the third richest man in the world? However, that would have to wait for his eyes landed on a stunning blonde. Walking up to her calmly with a knowing smirk, Rick stepped before Mr. Vale first, shaking the man's hands while saying, "It's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Vale. Glad to see you could make it to this illustrious event." After exchanging a few pleasantries with the Vale patriarch while casting Sydney a rather lascicious wink, Ricardo turned his full attention on her as her grandfather became distracted with a golfing buddy. "I knew I couldn't let the day go by without paying my respects to the most gorgeous woman in the room. And how are you, Sydney?"
Back with Sienna, she was busy going through her phone, garnering messages from followers, classmates, and a few of her minions, all claiming that the rumor mill stated that Sienna was spreading lies. It was a surprise that none of her girls were against her, and maybe it was a shared disdain for Sydney as opposed to fully liking Sienna, she didn't know. But the point of the matter was that it had been there. Even if she made Victoria take the post away and Sydney had everyone hear her claim that nothing about it was true, the seeds of doubt had been planted. Sydney may think that Sienna was too emotional to pull certain things off, but there was a reason why she was one of the best in social media at their school. Because she knew how it worked. So, she was fine with girls thinking she lied. It was a welcome distraction from the knot forming in her stomach and needing more, she sent out a few texts.
To: Victoria
The fact that you're still working money when you should be mixing and mingling baffles me. Come here
To: Carolina
Closest table to the left window
To: Jane
Come baaaaaaaaack!
To: Ricky
Btw I hate u
Piper Vine
Piper heard Jane's loud voice and she turned towards the other immediately. Good now she doesn't have to keep looking around. She felt her phone buzz and she briefly looked down to see it was from Brent. Rolling her eyes she put her phone back in her purse to address Jane. Piper took a deep breath and looked back up at Jane. "I wish I could be as happy as you are." She looked around before grabbing Jane's arm and pulling her into another empty hallway. "I literally had the worst day of my life yesterday." Now it was time to truly act. "My parents found out that I got drunk and put me on punishment yesterday and also took my allowance for the next two months. On top of that I'm supposed to host the party this year and now I don't have any money to do so." Piper wiped her eyes faking as if she was about to cry.
"Oh not to mention I have to lose 10 pounds before my next photo shoot. So I have to ask Brent Barclay of all fucking people to give me some pills." Piper grabbed Jane's hand and squeezed it tightly. "I don't want to feel like a drug addict so can you take some pills with me? Please I could really use your help. I'm begging here and I'll love you forever if you help just this once." Piper put on her best pleading look hoping Jane would help her. Had this been yesterday morning Piper would never ask Jane for anything that she just had. Especially asking her to take pills again, but she after talking to her father last night she figured why even be nice to people anymore? They'll just betray you eventually anyways.
She felt her phone buzz again and she released Jane's hand. It was Carolina, just the person she honestly wanted to talk to. "I have to go but just think about everything okay?" Piper gave Jane a hug before turning on her heels and leaving. Maybe she would regret what she just did in the future, but as of right now she didn't.
To Brent:
I put the bug in your favorite girl's ear. Happy now?
To Carolina:
I'm heading to you now.
Piper headed towards the back area Carolina was talking about and had no problem in finding her good friend. As soon as she spotted Carolina she picked up her speed and the first thing she did was give the girl a tight squeeze. They haven't seen each other in a while, and Piper thought that was extremely sad. They were good friends and had been through a lot together. Finally pulling away Piper faintly smiled at the girl. "My dad, or who I thought was my dad, tried paying me and Thomas several thousand dollars so we wouldn't go to the press about our parents not keeping us. I never thought of doing that in the first place." Piper ran her fingers through her hair with frustration. "I mean I was looking for my parents, but he literally came all the way from Vancouver to shut me and my brother up. It's ridiculous."
Piper glanced around to make sure no one heard her. Pulling out a compact mirror she checked her makeup to make sure it wasn't going to run. She still has to maintain her image at this school. "We can talk about this more later. I kind of just want to forget it all happened. Come on let's go sit down, my feet are already starting to hurt"
Jane gasped when Piper explained the first part of her predicament to her. She couldn't imagine having her credit cards confiscated. Her father had tried it a few times, with them all only lasting for a few hours because of the fits that Jane threw. It really didn't do much good, anyway. She had accounts at all of her favorite stores and could simply put things on the monthly bill without paying for them at that very moment. Besides, she had learned to memorize her credit card numbers as soon as she hit thirteen. At the very least, she could always online shop. Being cut off for two months seemed excessive, especially for something like being drunk! Jane had never met Piper's parents but she had always gotten the sense that they were very strict. It was the only reasonable excuse for why Piper frequently couldn't come on overseas trips with the girls or never invited them to her apartment. Her parents apparently were control freaks who kept Piper on a tight leash, and as much as Jane despised her father sometimes, she knew she didn't have it that bad compared to Piper. "Oh my God, two months?! With no money? Piper, what are you going to do?! Tell them you're going to like... kill yourself if they don't give you your money back! Or run away!" Jane was feeling genuinely distraught for her friend, and it only got worse when she mentioned weight loss. If anyone knew what that struggle felt like, it was Jane. She should have seen where this conversation was going, but after Hailey left, Jane kind of assumed that her pill issues were going to be over for the year. Sydney believed that Hailey was the user and as long as she avoided Brent, she was hopeful that she could avoid the pills too. But how could she say no to Piper, who was on the verge of tears? Plus, no matter how badly Jane wanted to say she was over the pills, or wanted to really recover now that she knew her friends were watching her, the thought of losing ten pounds had her heart racing. She would lose ten pounds, just the unnecessary weight she had put on during treatment, and leave it there. She could still be healthy ten pounds lighter, and more confident too. And it was to help a friend. It would be wrong not to do it.
Piper abruptly left before Jane could even respond to the last request, but it didn't take much thinking time for her to decide that she was on board. She was feeling jittery as she responded to Piper, but it seemed like more of an excited jitter than a nervous one. All it took was one suggestion and a little bit of persuasion in her head for her to feel like relapsing was the right choice, because she justified it as not being a real relapse. She was still going to be in control once the ten pounds were gone and as soon as Piper stopped taking the pills, she would too. No harm, no foul.
To: Piper
i'll do it with you but let's not tell the other girls, okay??? they'll judge us :///. when are you going to get them from him?
She had two other texts, one from Sydney and one from Sienna, to respond to, but with both girls requesting her presence, she was put in the tight spot she didn't want to be in. If past experience said anything, Sydney would definitely be the one to get more offended by Jane not coming to her, but Jane also knew she owed Sienna an explanation after leaving her hanging with the Vincent call. Besides, Sydney had promised to make up with Sienna and now seemed like a perfect time.
To: Sydney
i'm in the back with sia i'm drinking and my dad will murder me if he sees me doing that at an event like this! plz come :(((? u promised!
She made sure to only hit the send button when she really was back with Sienna. She sat back down next to the blonde and offered her an innocent smile. Piper's insistence that they start taking the pills again had put her into a perkier mood and she hoped it would carry through for the rest of the boring event. She probably should have started with the Vincent thing, but instead, she got straight to the point about Sydney. Vincent might have been Sienna's biggest concern, but reuniting their friend group was Jane's. Especially since Sienna had refused to acknowledge her pleas to speak with Sydney since the fight. "So, Sydney just got here and I told her to come over so you two can makeup, okay? She really misses you and I don't want anyone to fight anymore." The last part might have been a slight exaggeration, and Sienna probably knew it, but Jane didn't think that both of the girls could truly hate each other. They had been friends for so long. She wouldn't let this be the end of their friendship, and Jane didn't want to be stuck in the middle for any longer. The longer they remained enemies, the more bad things that would come out and put more of a strain on their relationship. "And Vincent knows he needs to make it up to you, and he said that Sydney feels really bad and stuff. That's why he called." Okay, maybe that was more than a slight exaggeration, but Jane liked to put her own spin on things.
_____ T H EXC L A S SXP R E S I D E N T _____
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L O C A T I O N : Hotel Plaza Athenee, Manhattan, New York
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Seeing the smirk on Brent's face only irritated Lottie more. She was giving him exactly what he wanted! But, she didn't care, this was the one day she needed him just disappear and of course, like a rash or a disease he kept creeping his way back and it's bigger and worst than ever. She moved some hair out of her face as she kept her piercing blue eyes on Brent as he spoke to her. "I don't know if I'm just hallucinating from all of the cheap little street drugs, or what, but did New York's favorite southern belle just curse? At me, of all people?!" She looked at the expression on his face and it took everything in her not to crack a smirk. She looked him up and down as he clutched his heart as she rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. "And here I was, thinking I could come out here to support you and who is it this time? Some hospital for kids with cancer? Or an animal shelter? and this is the warm welcome I get! I'm disappointed in you, Charlotte Buchanan." She scoffed as she rolled her eyes once more. "Oh, please Brent, who are you to talk about disappointment in someone?" She said before being spoken over by the future convict.
"Especially after you practically begged me to come the other day in your text." She fake laughed before beginning to really laugh and moved his finger off of her shoulder. "Please," She moved closer to his face with a smirk on her face and her hands on her hips. "You wish I'd beg you for somethin', anythin'. But, believe you, me that dream still a'int come true, sweetheart. So keep wishin'." She moved back away before someone passed by thinking something else was about to go down between the two, because knowing her luck Victoria would walk by and before she could blink her and Brent would be on that damn gossip site of hers and she didn't have time for people to think she was into, nonetheless dating that jailbird in training. She watched him go on his phone only to check hers to see a text from Rosie saying everything was ready for the video.
When she turned back to Brent who was looking her up and down, she crossed her arms over her chest before breathing out. "What the hell do you have to say now?" She said with a raised eyebrow. "Red looks good on you, Buchanan. You should wear a dress like that when I take you out to dinner tomorrow. She hid a laugh as she covered her mouth and looked down at her heels before looking back at him. "But for now, why don't you go rake in some more donations for PETA while I rake in some more donations for The Brent Barclay Foundation? Sound like a deal?" Okay that was it. He pushed a little too far but, in his defense, the way she took it was probably not what he meant. She took it as it was the dress and her appearance that was raising the money for the foundation. But, did she care if she took it the wrong way? No, not really but she probably could have handled what she did next a... better way to say the least.
She walked faster and grabbed the collar of his black shirt lightly as she pulled him closer. She looked him in the eyes seeing that they were pretty much the same height when she was in heels. "Look, you Walter White in training, I don't need this today and if I see you in here again I will personally destroy you and everything you--.."
"Um... I don't mean to interrupt anything, especially between the world's cutest couple but, Lottie it's time to prepare for your speech. The governor's about to leave in ten minutes and if he leaves, you'll never get that internship and recommendation!" She let go of Brent as Rosie over to the pair and cursed in her head. Was she going to let Brent get in the way of this internship and recommendation letter to show agents on Broadway that she was more than a pretty face and deserved the chance to the lead of a musical during the summer before she left for Harvard? No, she wasn't it. This was big and she could deal with this son of a mother hubbard later."I'll bring your girl back later, Brent. Don't worry you can finish whatever this is after." Rosie said with a smirk as she looked back to her sister who just pointed towards Brent. "This conversation is not over."
"I bet it's not." Rosie said under her breath as Charlotte looked at her and then at Brent and then once more at her sister. "... Never gonna happen. Now, c'mon I got bigger fish to fry." Lottie said as she hurried away with her sister in tow who just looked at Brent with a smirk before looking forward. "C'mon!"
"I comin'! Keep your panties out of a bunch." Rosie said as the twins hurried into the ballroom and backstage to make sure Lottie was ready for her speech. She let the thoughts of Brent float away as she started to read her notecards. "Alright, you got this, sissy! Just your five minute and then say 'And we have a small presentation of how the ALS foundation has helped families all over America.' And then you're done!" Lottie's eyes got big as she ran her hand through her hair. "Oh crap, the video. He's gonna kill me." Rosie shooed off the thought and waved her hand. "You don't have time to worry about it, it's too late. Just focus on your speech, I'll be in the front to cheer you on." Rosie reassured her before walking down the stairs to go back into the ballroom. "'Sides, by the way you two were holdin' on to each other, he would never kill you." Before her sister could say anything Rosie walked out, leaving Lottie to get ready for her small speech.
"Especially after you practically begged me to come the other day in your text." She fake laughed before beginning to really laugh and moved his finger off of her shoulder. "Please," She moved closer to his face with a smirk on her face and her hands on her hips. "You wish I'd beg you for somethin', anythin'. But, believe you, me that dream still a'int come true, sweetheart. So keep wishin'." She moved back away before someone passed by thinking something else was about to go down between the two, because knowing her luck Victoria would walk by and before she could blink her and Brent would be on that damn gossip site of hers and she didn't have time for people to think she was into, nonetheless dating that jailbird in training. She watched him go on his phone only to check hers to see a text from Rosie saying everything was ready for the video.
When she turned back to Brent who was looking her up and down, she crossed her arms over her chest before breathing out. "What the hell do you have to say now?" She said with a raised eyebrow. "Red looks good on you, Buchanan. You should wear a dress like that when I take you out to dinner tomorrow. She hid a laugh as she covered her mouth and looked down at her heels before looking back at him. "But for now, why don't you go rake in some more donations for PETA while I rake in some more donations for The Brent Barclay Foundation? Sound like a deal?" Okay that was it. He pushed a little too far but, in his defense, the way she took it was probably not what he meant. She took it as it was the dress and her appearance that was raising the money for the foundation. But, did she care if she took it the wrong way? No, not really but she probably could have handled what she did next a... better way to say the least.
She walked faster and grabbed the collar of his black shirt lightly as she pulled him closer. She looked him in the eyes seeing that they were pretty much the same height when she was in heels. "Look, you Walter White in training, I don't need this today and if I see you in here again I will personally destroy you and everything you--.."
"Um... I don't mean to interrupt anything, especially between the world's cutest couple but, Lottie it's time to prepare for your speech. The governor's about to leave in ten minutes and if he leaves, you'll never get that internship and recommendation!" She let go of Brent as Rosie over to the pair and cursed in her head. Was she going to let Brent get in the way of this internship and recommendation letter to show agents on Broadway that she was more than a pretty face and deserved the chance to the lead of a musical during the summer before she left for Harvard? No, she wasn't it. This was big and she could deal with this son of a mother hubbard later."I'll bring your girl back later, Brent. Don't worry you can finish whatever this is after." Rosie said with a smirk as she looked back to her sister who just pointed towards Brent. "This conversation is not over."
"I bet it's not." Rosie said under her breath as Charlotte looked at her and then at Brent and then once more at her sister. "... Never gonna happen. Now, c'mon I got bigger fish to fry." Lottie said as she hurried away with her sister in tow who just looked at Brent with a smirk before looking forward. "C'mon!"
"I comin'! Keep your panties out of a bunch." Rosie said as the twins hurried into the ballroom and backstage to make sure Lottie was ready for her speech. She let the thoughts of Brent float away as she started to read her notecards. "Alright, you got this, sissy! Just your five minute and then say 'And we have a small presentation of how the ALS foundation has helped families all over America.' And then you're done!" Lottie's eyes got big as she ran her hand through her hair. "Oh crap, the video. He's gonna kill me." Rosie shooed off the thought and waved her hand. "You don't have time to worry about it, it's too late. Just focus on your speech, I'll be in the front to cheer you on." Rosie reassured her before walking down the stairs to go back into the ballroom. "'Sides, by the way you two were holdin' on to each other, he would never kill you." Before her sister could say anything Rosie walked out, leaving Lottie to get ready for her small speech.
Senior year was proving to be far more stressful than any other year before. Victoria was certainly already more relevant this year than she had been in all past years combined, but she was starting to think that maybe not all attention was good attention. Her posts about the Sydney and Vincent love affair had been liked and retweeted more than any of her other posts, and since posting them, she had gained a couple hundred new followers on both pages. Sienna had reached out to her, something that never happened, considering that she was one of the "popular" girls and Victoria wasn't. While she was useful, Tori still knew that they weren't friends, and had Sienna not threatened her with leaking her name behind the horrid rumor she had started about Charlotte, she might not have agreed to make the post. While Sienna was a girl that would be useful for her, she wasn't Sydney Vale. Becoming friends with Sienna Alvarez might make her more appealing to Sydney - or at least it seemed that way before their beef was shared with her - but Sydney was who she wanted to be friends with. In reality, she wanted to knock Jane, Piper and Sienna out of the way if it meant giving her a spot in the popular crowd. She deserved it! She had spent every year in school idolizing the popular crowd and when high school came around and she reinvented herself to be more aesthetically pleasing, she really thought she had a chance at fitting in. Then, Piper Vine and Sienna Alvarez entered the scene and magically fit into the group with no ifs, ands or buts, but Victoria still wasn't given the time of day. It was unfair to say the least, and Tori was set on changing that this year. She was going to become relevant, no matter what it took, and although she felt guilty for hurting Sydney (an emotion that was unwarranted, considering how the queen bee rarely acknowledged her existence), breaking up their friend group gave her a good shot at giving in. It could work in her favor, as long as Sydney never found out that she was behind the blogs.
Even if that panned out in her favor, she still had problems at hand. She needed to start her college essays, prepare for the SAT exam one last time (even though her last set of scores were close to impeccable), and get perfect recommendation letters if she wanted even a shot at getting into MIT. On top of that, she had all of the stress related to her relationship. She had been dating Edward Till since late May, and like they seemed to do every other week, the day before school started, they separated again. This time it was because Victoria claimed that he had been checking out their waitress and throwing a fit over that. No matter how many times he insisted it wasn't true and apologized, she wouldn't have it. She planned on it being like every other one of their fights where she would wait for him to come back to her with roses and chocolates and then accept him back, but it didn't happen. And, for the icing on the cake, she had found out through a junior that he had slept with someone at Sydney Vale's party. Victoria hadn't been there to catch the bitch he slept with because, despite claiming that she had a family commitment, she hadn't received an invite. She had even lowered herself to asking Sydney about it via text, sure that it was a mishap since she had been invited in the past, but the blonde didn't even respond. It was humiliating, and to know that her boyfriend had slept with someone on top of that made her blood boil.
With all of that on her mind, Victoria had little motivation to work the charity event today. She wouldn't admit it, but Charlotte had pulled it together nicely, and the only thing that left her feeling remotely good was that the president herself was running late. She isn't so perfect after all... she pondered as she manned the table collecting the donations that were pouring in in the form of thousands. When the twins arrived and her job at the booth was over, Tori was relieved, but just for a moment. She had spotted Sydney entering the ballroom moments before and was set on greeting the blonde, when she got a message from Sienna. It was pathetic, but Victoria was a little bit scared of Sienna after seeing the lengths she was willing to go to to ruin Sydney's image, someone who was the most powerful girl in the upper east side, and at one point, supposedly her best friend. Sienna knew about her blogs and that was something that could easily be held against her, and they weren't really friends in the first place, where she would have any reason to not out her. So, without hesitation, she hurried towards the back of the event room where she had last seen Sienna. Her blank expression quickly transformed into a scowl when she spotted Jane seated next to the blonde. Out of all of the girls in that crowd, it could easily be argued that she hated Jane the most. She held the coveted spot of Sydney's best friend and Victoria couldn't tell why. She was stunning and had the body of a model, but she was brainless. A complete idiot. What did she have that Victoria didn't? That was a question that had plagued her for years and with it, brought a resentment for Jane. But with Jane sitting right there, Victoria couldn't risk abruptly turning away and giving Sienna an opportunity to tell Jane that she was the one who ran the blog and leaked the rumor. So, with much effort, she turned her frown into a smile and stood at the other side of the table, her fingers nervously toying with the table cloth. "Hey, I got your text. Did you need me for something?" She said, doing her best to sound perky and confident.
Sienna Alvarez was not a dumb blonde and Jane must have honestly thought that she was one. Awaiting a response to the antagonizing text she had sent Esmee and for at least something from Piper - was the redhead picking Sydney over her when it was obvious Sienna was nicer to her? - Sienna was also taking idle sips of her champagne, trying her darnest not to drink too fast lest she do something like get tipsy before meeting with Vincent. It was bad enough she did dumb things with him like fucking him even when she was sober. It would be an entirely different story if she were already impaired due to drinking long before a "hello" escaped her mouth. But back to the point - Jane sat down and flashed her a smile, and Sienna knew she was up to something. Jane was not slick. She was not, in any way, as stealthy as her friends. At least, Sienna had previously held on to such a belief. However, with that innocent smile and the knowledge that Jane had held a serious ailment as a secret from them with that same smile, she couldn't help but narrow her eyes.
So, she let Jane talk before calling her out, which she felt a bit off about because she knew she wasn't going to like whatever Jane had to say. That smile hadn't been Jane's typically innocent "I may or may not have drank the last of your mom's 1939 Rothschild" or "I may or may not have made out with Connor's math teacher at St. Jude's." Not that she had ever really done the latter, but something like that would have happened with Jane and Sienna would typically laugh or smile it off. No, that smile had spelled danger, at least for Sienna, and so when Jane explained the predicament, Sienna didn't even try to control her reaction. She rolled her eyes with contempt, not even bothering to hide her irritation. She always hide such from Jane, never wanting to weigh the brunette down with her being upset because Jane couldn't keep her mouth shut or did something for Sydney when she was supposed to have Sienna's back. She didn't want to fault her on those things. But this? So soon after their blow out? In Sienna's irrational (but rational to her) mind, Jane was being insensitive and her naivetΓ© wasn't rendering Sienna pliant and willing to do whatever it took to make her smile. Polishing off her champagne glass, Sienna didn't even choose to pay attention to the Vincent portion of the conversation, not really caring about him after Sydney's name had been uttered. "Jane.." She didn't offer a nickname like she normally did nor as her voice was friendly as it had been before. It wasn't the hard edge she felt digging into her chest, just annoyance. "If Sydney missed me or wanted to talk to me, she would have done so by now," Sienna stated rather blandly, swooping her gaze over her friend. Yes, it had been Sienna whose mind had focused completely on the fact that her argument with Sydney would hurt Jane the most immediately after said argument. But some part of her had acknowledged that she always put Jane before herself and at the moment, she didn't want to think about others. She would, inevitably, but not now.
"And honestly, do I look like I'm gonna be talking to her about that here - of all places?" Sienna's countenance turned exasperated at the thought and she immediately felt bad because she knew how Jane felt about being snapped at by friends. Sienna knew all too well because she could be the same way and immediately, softened her expression. "I'm sorry, sweetie," she said and grasped Jane's hand gently. "I miss her...the not...selfish, backstabbing, condescending her that is my friend...I just..." It was hard explaining something so private in a public setting, but she needed Jane to see her reasoning. Even if the Vincent thing had never happened, Sienna and Sydney would have had a falling out. Maybe not to this extent and for that, Sienna felt a wave of shame due to her actions, but it could not be undone. And what was harder was that Sienna was not one to admit her deepest fears and pains, not even to her closest friends. Maybe that explained Jane's secrecy? Inwardly, she shook it off and concentrated on the matter. So, she stared into Jane's eyes imploringly before continuing, "I just...I don't always like the me that I have to be in order to be friends with her. And I know we talk about being best friends forever, but...I don't know if I can play the part anymore."
Not even for you...
It was a blessing in disguise that Victoria Walsh had then arrived, despite Sienna wanting her to have come before Jane returned. But, given the current air around them, Sienna did not question it and, like always (especially when she felt too vulnerable and too on the spot), she put on a show. She turned to Victoria a wide smile, propping her elbow on the table and allowing her chin to rest on the back of her hand for support. Instead of immediately answering the tech wizard, Sienna allowed her gaze to rove over the pale brunette. She knew Tori didn't like her much and honestly, it did not matter to her. Sydney had expressed her disdain of the persistent girl back when they were first becoming friends, claiming that Victoria was obsessed with her. Sienna, overdramatic as she was at the time and younger (so more inclined to be emotional), believed her whole-heartedly. But years on the inside that Tori so coveted led her to realizing that Tori - and every other girl that desperately wanted to be considered friends with the Sydney Vale - did not want to be friends with Sydney. They just wanted what came with it: the reassurance that none of her schemes would harm them, the invites, the boys, the admiration, etc. They didn't want her friendship, not like Sienna did. Or at least, in her mind, they didn't. But, she obviously was not in Victoria's mind and therefore could not call her on something like that. What she did call her on was for coming for Charlotte. Any friend being attacked without their knowing it warranted a protective Sienna and since then, she had kept Tori under her gaze. Tori considered herself a pawn or minion of Sienna's, perhaps. Sienna considered her...something. She just didn't know what yet. So, she held Tori under her thumb and waited for her to start squirming.
"God, you are really pretty," she finally declared after some time with the utmost sincerity and bluntness in her voice. Because Tori was - Sienna had to offer her that much. Why girls like Tori and Charlotte - beautiful, ambitious, naturally intelligent (and not using someone else to make themselves appear smarter than they were), life all planned out - weren't at the top of the ladder, Sienna could not even fathom because she could go days admiring them. Plus, she knew it would throw Tori off because Sienna being nice to her usually spelled her needing something. Which she didn't. But again, without her having known it, Sienna had developed a bit of Sydney in her. Or maybe it wasn't Sydney. Maybe it was all her own and she had never realized it. Who knows? She glanced at Jane, "Seriously, J, isn't she so pretty? Like those lips are totes Angelina Jolie perfection!" Giggling, Sienna turned her gaze back to Tori, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "But no, I really didn't need anything. I just wanted to see your face and now that I have, you are going to let me dress you for the SGA Halloween party. No 'if', 'ands', or 'buts' about it. Sit with us."
Momentarily allowing her gaze to drift, Sienna eyed the room for Charlotte seeing how the luncheon would be starting soon and she knew the blonde would be freaking out about her speech. Thinking quickly, Sienna sent her a text.
To: Lottie
Knock em dead, Madam President <3
So, she let Jane talk before calling her out, which she felt a bit off about because she knew she wasn't going to like whatever Jane had to say. That smile hadn't been Jane's typically innocent "I may or may not have drank the last of your mom's 1939 Rothschild" or "I may or may not have made out with Connor's math teacher at St. Jude's." Not that she had ever really done the latter, but something like that would have happened with Jane and Sienna would typically laugh or smile it off. No, that smile had spelled danger, at least for Sienna, and so when Jane explained the predicament, Sienna didn't even try to control her reaction. She rolled her eyes with contempt, not even bothering to hide her irritation. She always hide such from Jane, never wanting to weigh the brunette down with her being upset because Jane couldn't keep her mouth shut or did something for Sydney when she was supposed to have Sienna's back. She didn't want to fault her on those things. But this? So soon after their blow out? In Sienna's irrational (but rational to her) mind, Jane was being insensitive and her naivetΓ© wasn't rendering Sienna pliant and willing to do whatever it took to make her smile. Polishing off her champagne glass, Sienna didn't even choose to pay attention to the Vincent portion of the conversation, not really caring about him after Sydney's name had been uttered. "Jane.." She didn't offer a nickname like she normally did nor as her voice was friendly as it had been before. It wasn't the hard edge she felt digging into her chest, just annoyance. "If Sydney missed me or wanted to talk to me, she would have done so by now," Sienna stated rather blandly, swooping her gaze over her friend. Yes, it had been Sienna whose mind had focused completely on the fact that her argument with Sydney would hurt Jane the most immediately after said argument. But some part of her had acknowledged that she always put Jane before herself and at the moment, she didn't want to think about others. She would, inevitably, but not now.
"And honestly, do I look like I'm gonna be talking to her about that here - of all places?" Sienna's countenance turned exasperated at the thought and she immediately felt bad because she knew how Jane felt about being snapped at by friends. Sienna knew all too well because she could be the same way and immediately, softened her expression. "I'm sorry, sweetie," she said and grasped Jane's hand gently. "I miss her...the not...selfish, backstabbing, condescending her that is my friend...I just..." It was hard explaining something so private in a public setting, but she needed Jane to see her reasoning. Even if the Vincent thing had never happened, Sienna and Sydney would have had a falling out. Maybe not to this extent and for that, Sienna felt a wave of shame due to her actions, but it could not be undone. And what was harder was that Sienna was not one to admit her deepest fears and pains, not even to her closest friends. Maybe that explained Jane's secrecy? Inwardly, she shook it off and concentrated on the matter. So, she stared into Jane's eyes imploringly before continuing, "I just...I don't always like the me that I have to be in order to be friends with her. And I know we talk about being best friends forever, but...I don't know if I can play the part anymore."
Not even for you...
It was a blessing in disguise that Victoria Walsh had then arrived, despite Sienna wanting her to have come before Jane returned. But, given the current air around them, Sienna did not question it and, like always (especially when she felt too vulnerable and too on the spot), she put on a show. She turned to Victoria a wide smile, propping her elbow on the table and allowing her chin to rest on the back of her hand for support. Instead of immediately answering the tech wizard, Sienna allowed her gaze to rove over the pale brunette. She knew Tori didn't like her much and honestly, it did not matter to her. Sydney had expressed her disdain of the persistent girl back when they were first becoming friends, claiming that Victoria was obsessed with her. Sienna, overdramatic as she was at the time and younger (so more inclined to be emotional), believed her whole-heartedly. But years on the inside that Tori so coveted led her to realizing that Tori - and every other girl that desperately wanted to be considered friends with the Sydney Vale - did not want to be friends with Sydney. They just wanted what came with it: the reassurance that none of her schemes would harm them, the invites, the boys, the admiration, etc. They didn't want her friendship, not like Sienna did. Or at least, in her mind, they didn't. But, she obviously was not in Victoria's mind and therefore could not call her on something like that. What she did call her on was for coming for Charlotte. Any friend being attacked without their knowing it warranted a protective Sienna and since then, she had kept Tori under her gaze. Tori considered herself a pawn or minion of Sienna's, perhaps. Sienna considered her...something. She just didn't know what yet. So, she held Tori under her thumb and waited for her to start squirming.
"God, you are really pretty," she finally declared after some time with the utmost sincerity and bluntness in her voice. Because Tori was - Sienna had to offer her that much. Why girls like Tori and Charlotte - beautiful, ambitious, naturally intelligent (and not using someone else to make themselves appear smarter than they were), life all planned out - weren't at the top of the ladder, Sienna could not even fathom because she could go days admiring them. Plus, she knew it would throw Tori off because Sienna being nice to her usually spelled her needing something. Which she didn't. But again, without her having known it, Sienna had developed a bit of Sydney in her. Or maybe it wasn't Sydney. Maybe it was all her own and she had never realized it. Who knows? She glanced at Jane, "Seriously, J, isn't she so pretty? Like those lips are totes Angelina Jolie perfection!" Giggling, Sienna turned her gaze back to Tori, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "But no, I really didn't need anything. I just wanted to see your face and now that I have, you are going to let me dress you for the SGA Halloween party. No 'if', 'ands', or 'buts' about it. Sit with us."
Momentarily allowing her gaze to drift, Sienna eyed the room for Charlotte seeing how the luncheon would be starting soon and she knew the blonde would be freaking out about her speech. Thinking quickly, Sienna sent her a text.
To: Lottie
Knock em dead, Madam President <3
Jane's frown was close to becoming a pout when Sienna basically stated the last thing that she wanted to hear. She wasn't going to make the initiative to make up with Sydney. But that's not fair! she so desperately wanted to interject, as if she was the victim in all of this. And as much as Jane knew that all of this had hurt Sienna and Sydney in more ways than she could understand, she felt like it was hurting her too. It was hard being friends with Sydney and Sienna when they were friends, and being friends with them separately had already proved to be emotionally draining. Sienna was dramatic and emotional like she was, and that suggested that she could probably hold a grudge against Sydney for as long as necessary. Especially considering what that grudge stood for. But Sienna had a heart that wasn't frozen over like Sydney's. Even though Jane knew that Sydney wasn't as cold as everyone saw her to be, Jane knew that in a case like this, Sydney could and would permanently cut Sienna off if that's what it took to keep her image in tact. It didn't matter if it was hurting herself or Jane, as long as her position on the social ladder remain unscathed, she didn't doubt that Sydney wouldn't budge over it. It wasn't fair, and Jane was ready to selfishly claim that, until Victoria Walsh appeared.
Jane didn't really know Victoria. It was a strange thing to say, considering that the girls had attended the same elementary, middle and high school, so realistically speaking, they had plenty of time to get to know each other. To be honest, if Sydney hadn't shot Victoria down when they were young, there was a chance that Jane would have liked her. She was wealthy and at least since they were teenagers, she was pretty. She was smart too, and like Jane bugged Charlotte over, she probably would have proven herself as a good "study buddy" on test days. It spoke to the side of Jane that was too dependent on Sydney, because Jane had only axed Tori as a potential friend because Sydney had. She claimed she was obsessive and stalkerish, and with Sydney's disapproval, Jane had no qualms about finding her own issues with the girl. She had never given her a fair chance, and although Victoria didn't want to be friends with Jane, she didn't know that.
Just because she was suddenly growing a little bit more independent from Sydney didn't mean that she could shake all of her bad habits at once, though. So, when Victoria approached, Jane barely gave her a smile and came close to glaring at Sienna when it was revealed that she had invited her over with them. Of all people... Victoria Walsh? Sia really is going crazy without Syd... She was too busy judging Victoria to hear Sienna's first compliment, but zoned back in when Sienna said her name. "Uh huh..." she agreed in an obviously unconvinced tone, all while flashing Sienna a "what are you doing?" look. Angelina JOLIE? Okay then, Sienna... She didn't know the background behind Sienna and Victoria's relationship but this... whatever this was, mixed with her hangover, seeing Piper talking to Carolina in the distance and instantly thinking the redhead was confiding in Carolina about their drugs, and how she was upset over Sienna's refusal to makeup with Sydney and vice versa, was definitely putting her on edge. It was enough to make her pull out her phone to text Sydney once the room began to grow quiet as the luncheon began.
To: Sydney
Please Syd please please please please please make up with her please
She's going crazy without you and trying to be friends with tori walsh
like ew??
please :....(?????
Sydney was actually relieved to see Ricardo, and that relief prevented her from rolling her eyes as he charmed his way through small talk with her grandfather and the other adults standing by. She would be forced to here from Alan later on about how Ricardo was "such a pleasant young man" and "someone who is really going places in life" like she had heard so many times before, but for now, it was worth it. A text from Jane indicated that her go-to girl was with Sienna, and until she figured out how to respond to Jane's plea for her to make nice with Sienna, she needed someone of value to be seen with. As much as she liked to downplay Rick's looks and power to his face, she knew just as well as he, that he was the male version of her, social wise. He was probably the only person in the upper east side who could get away with the things that she could get away with, and maybe, the only person who could call her out on those things without her feeling threatened.
When her grandfather had become consumed in a conversation with someone else, she met Rick's gaze and allowed her formal smile to shift into a smirk at his expected and charming compliments. "Well, aren't you a gentleman, today?" she said, faking a flattered tone. If she didn't know Rick so well, she would think he was charming, and while she didn't doubt that she was the most gorgeous girl in the room, she was too keen on his flirting to take it to heart. Sadly, the same couldn't be said for most of the Constance Billard student body who would probably spread their legs right then and there if Ricardo said something like that to them. "Walk with me," she continued, slowly pacing away from her grandfather and the dignitaries he was conversing with. Still smirking, Rick conceded and stepped in line with her, nodding to Mr. Vale as they went. If she wanted to speak with Rick on a real level - which she wasn't sure she wanted to do - she needed to be away from the ears of the people that both teenagers were forced to keep good impressions around. She was tempted to ask Rick why he didn't bring his little boyfriend around with him. Vincent was noticeably absent and she was sure that if anyone knew where he was, it would be Rick. Sydney never hesitated to call Vincent out on being a bit of a follower around Ricardo. They were close to being equals, but it seemed like Vincent's true personality always faded when he was around Rick and trying to... impress him, or maybe more accurately, live up to his "player" persona. This normally involved him either brushing off Sydney or Sienna, and even though Sydney sometimes got a laugh out of him doing it to Sienna, there was a part of her that was bothered by it too. Only because she had received that treatment too, and the good friend inside of her felt like one of them deserved Vincent. If he was playing her, Sienna at least deserved his real love, and if he was playing Sienna, she deserved his true love. He couldn't be messing around with both of their heads and get away with it. She didn't always feel this way, but sometimes, when she was being sensible, she knew that she would rather Sienna walk off with true love than neither of them. Today wasn't one of those days, though.
She plucked a champagne glass from the hand of a waiting server, offering them a small smile of appreciation as she headed further into the event. Her phone was buzzing yet again with messages from Jane, and this time, while it still made her feel guilty for putting the brunette in a tight spot, her smirk widened. Of course Sienna was desparetely searching for anyone to be her friend at this point. Stooping so low to befriend Victoria Walsh! If Sydney wasn't standing next to the nosy Ricardo Slim-HelΓΊ, she probably would have chuckled aloud. "Did Daddy send you to drop off his check?" Sydney asked distractedly as her fingers tapped against her phone screen in response to Jane. Laughing again at her inquiry, Rick replied, "Daddy drops off his own checks. I'm just here to look pretty,", which, even with Sydney barely paying attention, elicited an eye roll from her. She didn't think anyone could call her conceited in the presence of the King of Saint Jude's.
To: Jane
Poor thing... she always has been desperate for attention
And I told you that I'm going to talk to her Jane. You know I wouldn't lie to you
Maybe she did really feel guilty for not being the best friend to Jane lately, or she was feeling detrimentally cocky after hearing about Sienna's desperation, and now, as she got closer to the back of the ballroom, seeing it with her own eyes. Either way, it gave her the confidence to separate from Ricardo and approach the girls on her. "If you must. Don't do anything I wouldn't," Rick responded after she insisted that she needed to excuse herself "to take care of some business". And business was exactly what it would be. No, she wasn't going to apologize to Sienna like Jane wanted, because as far as anyone outside of their circle knew, there was nothing for her to apologize about. She would, however, give Sienna the chance to apologize for herself, or, if she wanted to continue to play games, at least get credit for being the bigger person in Jane's eyes.
"There you are, Jane. Your dad was looking for you," she said as she approached the girls from the opposite side of the table. She didn't acknowledge Tori or Sienna yet, only giving Jane a smile that was probably more icy than she wanted it to be. Adrian hadn't been looking for Jane, but she needed a reason for approaching the table, and with the recent exposure of Jane's eating disorder, it seemed to be a valid excuse that her father was trying to check up on her. "He said something about the food being served soon and wanting you to eat with them." She maintained an innocent tone to her voice, but she knew that was an unnecessary thing to say to get rid of Jane. Especially with the way it had been brought up in the first place... this was another act of insensitivity. It was just hard for Sydney to not act that way, especially when she needed to seem big and bad in front of Sienna, to remind her of who she was messing with. Sydney didn't want Jane to be at the receiving end of her coldness, but it spoke greatly when the defenseless girl who was supposed to be her best friend was. She glanced at Victoria next, not attempting to be discrete as she looked her up and down. "If you see Charlotte, tell her that the decor in here looks wonderful. One day in and she's already proving herself to be the best class president we could have had," she smiled. Another low blow? Yeah. Did Sydney care? Definitely not. Lastly, she glanced towards Sienna. "Have a moment to chat?" If the girl dared to say no, Sydney was going to have to pull out the big guns and send her packing just like she had with her dumb, blonde little friend.
Sienna noted the lackluster response from Jane and only rolled her eyes, not really caring to know what was going on in her best friend's mind. As far as she was concerned, she didn't want to deal with the heaviness of the conversation, she was done with it, and Jane needed to be done with it as well. It sucked and as always, when it came to bad thoughts regarding Jane, Sienna felt immediately mad. But the truth of the matter was that she was anxious to deal with Sydney. She was anxious to get her EP finished. She was anxious about talking to Sydney. She was anxious about her final career or future decision. She was anxious about everything and she couldn't - at the moment - care too much about Jane's feelings. Her own were too blaringly suffocating.
However, it seemed that whatever deity that was out there - God, Allah, Yahweh, Zeus, whomever - gave not a single fuck about her comfort for Sydney Vale was approaching and Sienna could just die. She was not afraid to be in Sydney's presence. Sydney Vale did not inspire fear in her, contrary to what she may have thought or what any former queen bee would have to say about the matter. She could be intimidating, yes, but Sienna wasn't known for backing down either so that nullified that thought. But Sienna had been avoiding her. Avoided looking at her. Avoided talking to her. Avoided the very thought of her. At least, as best as she could. However, now, the queen bee stood in front of her, separated from Sienna's person by only the table, and Sienna only stared at her. She didn't acknowledge Sydney and Sydney did not take in her presence. They were just two strangers who happened to know the two people closest to them and that was it. Jane's answer to Sydney was ignored on Sienna's part and before her friend scurried away, she heard her say, "Okay, thanks."
Then, Sydney's gaze landed on her and Sienna only stared back. All at once, her words to Jane moments before were all too real. She did miss Sydney. It was a painful realization and it made her frown, possibly at the wrong time because Sydney asked to talk. She didn't want to miss the backstabbing bitch, or that what was what she was trying to call her in order to make the feeling go away, and she forced herself to think about every second she had to deal with Sydney. It also forced her to consider all the better times they shared. It wasn't enough, however, to make her not eventually smile, pleasant in a way. "Sure." She turned her gaze to Victoria, who stood awkwardly in the midst of the trio she probably longed to be a part of. "You can handle this for me until I get back, right Tori?" It was a demand and she knew Tori would do well to recognize it as such. Perhaps it was the look Jane tossed her that made Sienna rise, maybe it was her own need to finish this in some way - she didn't know. All she knew was that she did not spare Sydney another glance. She just pushed her chair back in politely and then walked out of the ballroom. She didn't even check to see if Sydney was behind her.
It was only when they were in the girls' restroom that Sienna turned around to acknowledge that Sydney was there and only then did the smile drop. "So, is this the part where I fall to my knees and beg you to forgive me, or is this an actual conversation?"
Just what I thought... Sydney mused, inwardly smirking at how Sienna didn't even attempt to put off them speaking. Her expression remained at a small smile, since she didn't want to be as easily read as Jane, who had hurried away with the face of a deer in headlights as soon as Sydney had even suggested eating. She didn't offer Victoria a parting glance once Sienna was out of her chair and making a beeline out of the ballroom. Sydney was in no rush and didn't hurry to keep up with Sienna. She kept a steady pace, offering a few hello's to people she recognized on her journey to the bathroom. When she met Sienna inside, only a few seconds after the girl first pushed the door open, Sydney was feeling even more confident. She probably should have felt less confident, considering that now, after Sydney made sure there were no feet present under the stalls, she was alone with Sienna. Neither of them had to keep up their cordial guises to keep their proper reputations in tact in this privacy, and with how they had left off, both girls probably felt like they had a right to rip the other's hair out.
Sienna spoke before Sydney could, which was good, because while Sydney had suggested the chat, she didn't really have a set conversation in mind. It had been a spur of the moment decision to even interact with Sienna, since before she knew that she was stooping down to Victoria Walsh's level, Sydney had just planned on erasing her existence from her life. Now that it was clear that Sienna was suffering without her, Sydney didn't feel like she was the one begging by making it easier for Sienna to apologize. Apparently, Sienna didn't want to take Sydney's kindness and let this play out easily. So, rather than dropping her fake smile like Sienna had when they entered the bathroom, Sydney kept hers pasted on her face. She waited a moment to respond, allowing her eyes to take in Sienna's expression, before speaking. "Neither," she responded, a decision that was again made in that same second. Sydney preferred for her actions to be premeditated and calculated, but she could think on a whim when the time called for it. "I don't need an apology from you if you don't think you did anything to warrant one, and I already apologized for what I did at dinner." An apology, excusing her behavior, tossing the blame from herself onto Sienna... same difference. So, at this point, all that I need you to do is tell Jane that I gave you a chance to make up with me, and that you aren't ready. Clearly, our friendship has reached its expiration date and I'm just as okay with that as you are, but she won't be. And as Jane's best friend, I know that she doesn't need any extra stress in her life right now, so pretend for her."
It was a bold request from someone labeling herself as Jane's best friend while coming close to throwing her under the bus yet again only moment's before, but that wasn't even what had Sydney second guessing her words. It was her own claim that her friendship with Sienna was over that, was she not so used to keeping her emotions suppressed, would have had her voice shaking. She didn't know how she could miss the girl standing in front of her after everything she had put her through over the past few days, but she did. It seemed like decades ago... but at one point, they were real friends and that was saying a lot for Sydney Vale to be able to admit that.
Sienna scoffed at Sydney even remotely suggesting that the "apology" she had offered at the restaurant was an actual one, but she chose not to cut her off. Instead, Sienna only folded her arms over her chest idly and stared at her, levelling Sydney with a look that honestly could have spelled anything. She was a bit hurt as Sydney continued to speak, angry, in disbelief - the list of emotions could go on. And they were all probably jumbled together and indiscernible on their own, but it wasn't always that simple to detect every emotion in Sienna's mind. Which was probably why she couldn't lie. She wasn't bitchy and the situation didn't call for lies. Besides, as Sydney articulated oh so ruthlessly, their friendship was reaching an expiration date. And it hurt, it honestly did, but Sienna wasn't just going to leave it as it was.
"And that's it? No tearful goodbyes? No 'we had a good time?'" The questions came out in not shock, but sarcastic something. She wasn't surprised, maybe taken aback that this was really how their friendship was ending. But neither of the options Sienna offered were things Sydney was known for and she didn't know why some part of her had wanted something more from the queen bee. It was always a want when it came to Sydney, never something that came to fruition. And if it did, it came in increments and Sydney was right. That too had reached an expiration date because Sienna didn't know if she could continue lowering her expectations for the sake of Sydney's pride. "But of course, we wouldn't do that. Too much pride in me, and too much ice for you to uncover to actually care about me."
It was a risky move, partly admitting her feelings as they pertained to Sydney, but if this was the end, then why not end it in some way that let Sienna get something off her chest? Backing away a bit, Sienna leaned against the sink, unfolding her arms and allowing her hands to rest on the edge. She gave Sydney a curious look while asking, "Do you know what the first real thought that I had when you were at the table?" She didn't wait for a response, only continued. "That I miss you. It's kinda funny...I spent the entire weekend not wanting to be reminded that and just like that...I missed you. Isn't that funny?" The words were just tumbling from the confines of her mouth and Sienna bit her lower lip to stop herself from saying anything more, trying to will her voice not to shake. She didn't know if she could be as composed as Sydney and struggled to meet her gaze again. "And, for the record, I do know what I would apologize for. And I could...but that really wouldn't help much, would it? You'd still think there was nothing wrong, just me being dramatic Sia and we'd go on until, what? Another blowout over nothing and the same thing? Which one?"
The girls shared at least one thought right now: that if this was the end of the line for their friendship, there was no need to hold back. As Sienna spoke and Sydney realized this, she allowed herself to drop the guarded and calculated front that she almost always wore. It didn't come down all at once. She still rolled her eyes at Sienna's remark about how they were just going to end it like this, but she allowed the blonde in across from her to speak without jumping in. By the time she had confessed to missing Sydney, her bottom lip was being bitten just as hard as Sienna's. It wasn't to keep herself from crying, but to refrain from saying something too emotional or allowing her face too be read so easily - which, with that act alone, probably defeated the purpose. She was going to be real here, but she was also Sydney Vale. She wasn't going to start sobbing and toss herself into Sienna's arms as she agreed that she, too, missed her.
"I do care about you. I can say that. Even after what you did... I still care about you." It was dramatic, but saying that aloud made her feel physically sick for a few seconds. It was like her body was rejecting the idea of her being sentimental about the girl that over the past two days, she had ruthlessly trained to associate with bad thoughts. She sighed audibly, looking Sienna up and down quickly. Her gaze didn't have its normal judgmental tint to it. She was simply trying to read Sienna in an attempt to see what was going on in her head. If this was all for real or not. "Honestly, I wish that I didn't. I wish that I could be cold enough to do everything in my power to ruin your senior year, but I knew from the start that I couldn't do that." She couldn't even look Sienna in the face as she spoke now, because she could feel herself getting emotional. And Hell would freeze over before Sydney Vale started crying over her broken friendship with Sienna Alvarez!
To prevent that from happening, she stepped to one of the vacant sinks next to Sienna, and after rummaging through her clutch, began to touch up her lip gloss. She'd be damned if her eyes left the safety of the mirror until she could compose herself again. "And then I thought that silence would suffice. I wouldn't wipe you off the social radar, but just off my social radar. That's probably the best route for us, since maybe something like this isn't reparable... but... I guess I... missed you too. And I know that sleeping with Vincent was wrong, Sienna, but I swear to God that after it happened, I didn't know what to do. I didn't think when I was doing it and I was scared and I didn't know what to do, okay? You're right, you're right, I'll admit it. I should have told you and been a good friend but how was I supposed to tell you that? And then he told me that we could just keep it a secret and pretend it never happened and I thought that that was the best way to deal with it. I know it wasn't, but, I didn't want to be that girl, especially after seeing how hurt it made you. And I'm sure I'll regret saying this as soon as I stop speaking, but I'm sorry. I'm sorry for sleeping with him, I'm sorry for wanting him then, and maybe for still wanting him now. I'm sorry for being a bad friend and caring about how other people saw me more than how my friends saw me, and I'm sorry that that's not going to change, even after whatever we do from here. You have your family, and all of your friends outside of Jane and Piper, and your music and your career, and Vincent too, and I have my image, Sienna. It doesn't matter if I'm fatter than Jane, or uglier than Piper without makeup, or going no where in life compared to you, when I'm who I am at this school. All of that's going to end for me at the end of this year, I guess, and I can't let it go. I can't let... this person... this monster... that I've become go because it's all I have left and when it's over, it's over." Where did that come from? Sydney was too busy swiping at the tears that were now flowing at an unstoppable speed to regret every jumbled thought that had just come out of her mouth at lightning speed. She would regret them eventually, though. Even if she wouldn't regret coming clean to Sienna, dropping her walls and being a real, genuine and emotional human being by apologizing, she was going to regret how vulnerable she felt.
Sydney could find whatever semblance of control all she wanted because Sienna didn't even bother to try. By the time Sydney had moved and finished speaking, the tears had already gathered in Sienna's eyes and she couldn't even choke back the sob as she cried, "You had me!" She couldn't believe that Sydney could list off all of these things Sienna had as if Sydney did not have anything other than an image. "You have always had me, and Jane, and Piper when we're not thinking something's wrong about her. And you've had..." Sienna breathed, not even giving her brain the chance to berate her for being so weak, the tears falling down her cheeks faster than she would have liked. But to hell with it! They were there and there was no getting rid of them. "You've had everything I could have wanted, Syd. You're gorgeous, and you are so smart, and everyone wants to be you and that's not an image. That's charisma and you've had it, always, while I've had to sacrifice mine in order to fit a role. I even dyed my hair blonde to fool myself into thinking that I could be like you." Sienna couldn't see her own characteristics at the moment. She was too bare and at her core, she was just a girl who had more insecurities than her typical display of vanity would ever reveal. And Sydney...Sydney was everything!
"And you think I have friends? Half of them are either contractual because our managers thought it would be beneficial to our agencies, they entertain me because attention whore Sienna would just die without someone talking to her, or they just want something from me. They've all wanted something from me." Sienna could feel her voice starting to shake and swiped at her left cheek, hoping to somehow salvage something. However, the next words she spoke only made fresher tears emerge and the words came a bit faster. "And I wanted to hate you...so bad. Vince told me and I wanted to hate you both so bad because it would have been easy and I could have...I-I-I...but I couldn't...because you and Jane were the first real friends I've had since joining Roc Nation and I knew if I did anything, I would finally be alone and I know I am now, and it still hurts. You think my family is one hundred percent behind me, but Esmee's gonna push me away soon to find herself at Constance because Mom keeps trying to mold her too, and Mom's gonna hate me because I want to end it all, my Dad is never home, and I don't even know which brother is even in this state anymore." Sienna broke off at that point, not wanting to allow her words to turn to broken sobs.
It had been about three years since she had allowed herself to cry in Sydney Vale's presence and she wanted to feel the outrage she had back then for allowing herself to be vulnerable in front of her. But her pride be damned because she couldn't lie. She couldn't pretend. Not now. At the same time, the weight of their ending was a bit more than she honestly had thought she could handle and she truly had not fathomed the weakness Sydney's confession could provoke in her. Giving herself time to get out some careful breaths, Sienna met Sydney's gaze again, swiping at her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I went too far, and I should have just talked to you, but I...I-I didn't think you'd...I didn't think I meant as much to you as Jane did. And maybe I never had...I just...I wanted to think I could be on your level and that maybe, one day, we wouldn't be rivals...and I wouldn't just be a handmaiden in your court. I'd be your best friend and I get that that's over now...I just..." She didn't know how to finish that and a fresh wave of tears were beginning to form in her eyes, but Sienna was running out of words to say. She didn't know what other utterances she could make, what appeals she could formulate that could remedy their situation.
So, she turned away from Sydney, her back facing her...former friend and damn a tear for escaping the confines of her eye. Her voice was too small for her own good when she spoke, too ready to fall into sobs. "I'm sorry. W-we should go back inside. I'll tell Jane I'm sorry too." Sienna didn't know if she could wait for Sydney to say anything more - if Sydney had anything more to say - so she left. She flung herself out of the bathroom, wiping at her cheeks with the palm of her hand as she went. It seemed convenient that a staff member was emerging from the elevator shaft wearing the uniform of their event and stopped in front of her. "Miss, is everything - ?" Sienna interjected, "Five minutes. The Alvarez family car in five minutes." She didn't wait for a response, simply hurried back to the ballroom, minutely grateful for her mascara. She entered the room then, with everyone concentrated on whatever video it was that was going on. She didn't look for any other person in the room, simply headed to her table. She began gathering her things, not bothering to look up at Tori as she said, "You all can handle things from here." Once her computer and charger were in her bag, Sienna met the vice president's gaze and held it. "A word of any kind about today and I promise you, you won't have to worry about Sydney Vale coming for you. I'll have you shipped off to Denmark before you can press delete." The threat was probably unnecessary, but it made sense to whatever part of Sienna that needed it. Control? She didn't know and didn't bother to sit to figure it out. She took a different door than the other, one that was closer to the front of the building.
Once outside, Sienna only had to wait a matter of minutes before the town car pulled up and she threw herself in the backseat, not even bothering to hide the sob that erupted from her mouth just as her door was closed.
However, it seemed that whatever deity that was out there - God, Allah, Yahweh, Zeus, whomever - gave not a single fuck about her comfort for Sydney Vale was approaching and Sienna could just die. She was not afraid to be in Sydney's presence. Sydney Vale did not inspire fear in her, contrary to what she may have thought or what any former queen bee would have to say about the matter. She could be intimidating, yes, but Sienna wasn't known for backing down either so that nullified that thought. But Sienna had been avoiding her. Avoided looking at her. Avoided talking to her. Avoided the very thought of her. At least, as best as she could. However, now, the queen bee stood in front of her, separated from Sienna's person by only the table, and Sienna only stared at her. She didn't acknowledge Sydney and Sydney did not take in her presence. They were just two strangers who happened to know the two people closest to them and that was it. Jane's answer to Sydney was ignored on Sienna's part and before her friend scurried away, she heard her say, "Okay, thanks."
Then, Sydney's gaze landed on her and Sienna only stared back. All at once, her words to Jane moments before were all too real. She did miss Sydney. It was a painful realization and it made her frown, possibly at the wrong time because Sydney asked to talk. She didn't want to miss the backstabbing bitch, or that what was what she was trying to call her in order to make the feeling go away, and she forced herself to think about every second she had to deal with Sydney. It also forced her to consider all the better times they shared. It wasn't enough, however, to make her not eventually smile, pleasant in a way. "Sure." She turned her gaze to Victoria, who stood awkwardly in the midst of the trio she probably longed to be a part of. "You can handle this for me until I get back, right Tori?" It was a demand and she knew Tori would do well to recognize it as such. Perhaps it was the look Jane tossed her that made Sienna rise, maybe it was her own need to finish this in some way - she didn't know. All she knew was that she did not spare Sydney another glance. She just pushed her chair back in politely and then walked out of the ballroom. She didn't even check to see if Sydney was behind her.
It was only when they were in the girls' restroom that Sienna turned around to acknowledge that Sydney was there and only then did the smile drop. "So, is this the part where I fall to my knees and beg you to forgive me, or is this an actual conversation?"
Just what I thought... Sydney mused, inwardly smirking at how Sienna didn't even attempt to put off them speaking. Her expression remained at a small smile, since she didn't want to be as easily read as Jane, who had hurried away with the face of a deer in headlights as soon as Sydney had even suggested eating. She didn't offer Victoria a parting glance once Sienna was out of her chair and making a beeline out of the ballroom. Sydney was in no rush and didn't hurry to keep up with Sienna. She kept a steady pace, offering a few hello's to people she recognized on her journey to the bathroom. When she met Sienna inside, only a few seconds after the girl first pushed the door open, Sydney was feeling even more confident. She probably should have felt less confident, considering that now, after Sydney made sure there were no feet present under the stalls, she was alone with Sienna. Neither of them had to keep up their cordial guises to keep their proper reputations in tact in this privacy, and with how they had left off, both girls probably felt like they had a right to rip the other's hair out.
Sienna spoke before Sydney could, which was good, because while Sydney had suggested the chat, she didn't really have a set conversation in mind. It had been a spur of the moment decision to even interact with Sienna, since before she knew that she was stooping down to Victoria Walsh's level, Sydney had just planned on erasing her existence from her life. Now that it was clear that Sienna was suffering without her, Sydney didn't feel like she was the one begging by making it easier for Sienna to apologize. Apparently, Sienna didn't want to take Sydney's kindness and let this play out easily. So, rather than dropping her fake smile like Sienna had when they entered the bathroom, Sydney kept hers pasted on her face. She waited a moment to respond, allowing her eyes to take in Sienna's expression, before speaking. "Neither," she responded, a decision that was again made in that same second. Sydney preferred for her actions to be premeditated and calculated, but she could think on a whim when the time called for it. "I don't need an apology from you if you don't think you did anything to warrant one, and I already apologized for what I did at dinner." An apology, excusing her behavior, tossing the blame from herself onto Sienna... same difference. So, at this point, all that I need you to do is tell Jane that I gave you a chance to make up with me, and that you aren't ready. Clearly, our friendship has reached its expiration date and I'm just as okay with that as you are, but she won't be. And as Jane's best friend, I know that she doesn't need any extra stress in her life right now, so pretend for her."
It was a bold request from someone labeling herself as Jane's best friend while coming close to throwing her under the bus yet again only moment's before, but that wasn't even what had Sydney second guessing her words. It was her own claim that her friendship with Sienna was over that, was she not so used to keeping her emotions suppressed, would have had her voice shaking. She didn't know how she could miss the girl standing in front of her after everything she had put her through over the past few days, but she did. It seemed like decades ago... but at one point, they were real friends and that was saying a lot for Sydney Vale to be able to admit that.
Sienna scoffed at Sydney even remotely suggesting that the "apology" she had offered at the restaurant was an actual one, but she chose not to cut her off. Instead, Sienna only folded her arms over her chest idly and stared at her, levelling Sydney with a look that honestly could have spelled anything. She was a bit hurt as Sydney continued to speak, angry, in disbelief - the list of emotions could go on. And they were all probably jumbled together and indiscernible on their own, but it wasn't always that simple to detect every emotion in Sienna's mind. Which was probably why she couldn't lie. She wasn't bitchy and the situation didn't call for lies. Besides, as Sydney articulated oh so ruthlessly, their friendship was reaching an expiration date. And it hurt, it honestly did, but Sienna wasn't just going to leave it as it was.
"And that's it? No tearful goodbyes? No 'we had a good time?'" The questions came out in not shock, but sarcastic something. She wasn't surprised, maybe taken aback that this was really how their friendship was ending. But neither of the options Sienna offered were things Sydney was known for and she didn't know why some part of her had wanted something more from the queen bee. It was always a want when it came to Sydney, never something that came to fruition. And if it did, it came in increments and Sydney was right. That too had reached an expiration date because Sienna didn't know if she could continue lowering her expectations for the sake of Sydney's pride. "But of course, we wouldn't do that. Too much pride in me, and too much ice for you to uncover to actually care about me."
It was a risky move, partly admitting her feelings as they pertained to Sydney, but if this was the end, then why not end it in some way that let Sienna get something off her chest? Backing away a bit, Sienna leaned against the sink, unfolding her arms and allowing her hands to rest on the edge. She gave Sydney a curious look while asking, "Do you know what the first real thought that I had when you were at the table?" She didn't wait for a response, only continued. "That I miss you. It's kinda funny...I spent the entire weekend not wanting to be reminded that and just like that...I missed you. Isn't that funny?" The words were just tumbling from the confines of her mouth and Sienna bit her lower lip to stop herself from saying anything more, trying to will her voice not to shake. She didn't know if she could be as composed as Sydney and struggled to meet her gaze again. "And, for the record, I do know what I would apologize for. And I could...but that really wouldn't help much, would it? You'd still think there was nothing wrong, just me being dramatic Sia and we'd go on until, what? Another blowout over nothing and the same thing? Which one?"
The girls shared at least one thought right now: that if this was the end of the line for their friendship, there was no need to hold back. As Sienna spoke and Sydney realized this, she allowed herself to drop the guarded and calculated front that she almost always wore. It didn't come down all at once. She still rolled her eyes at Sienna's remark about how they were just going to end it like this, but she allowed the blonde in across from her to speak without jumping in. By the time she had confessed to missing Sydney, her bottom lip was being bitten just as hard as Sienna's. It wasn't to keep herself from crying, but to refrain from saying something too emotional or allowing her face too be read so easily - which, with that act alone, probably defeated the purpose. She was going to be real here, but she was also Sydney Vale. She wasn't going to start sobbing and toss herself into Sienna's arms as she agreed that she, too, missed her.
"I do care about you. I can say that. Even after what you did... I still care about you." It was dramatic, but saying that aloud made her feel physically sick for a few seconds. It was like her body was rejecting the idea of her being sentimental about the girl that over the past two days, she had ruthlessly trained to associate with bad thoughts. She sighed audibly, looking Sienna up and down quickly. Her gaze didn't have its normal judgmental tint to it. She was simply trying to read Sienna in an attempt to see what was going on in her head. If this was all for real or not. "Honestly, I wish that I didn't. I wish that I could be cold enough to do everything in my power to ruin your senior year, but I knew from the start that I couldn't do that." She couldn't even look Sienna in the face as she spoke now, because she could feel herself getting emotional. And Hell would freeze over before Sydney Vale started crying over her broken friendship with Sienna Alvarez!
To prevent that from happening, she stepped to one of the vacant sinks next to Sienna, and after rummaging through her clutch, began to touch up her lip gloss. She'd be damned if her eyes left the safety of the mirror until she could compose herself again. "And then I thought that silence would suffice. I wouldn't wipe you off the social radar, but just off my social radar. That's probably the best route for us, since maybe something like this isn't reparable... but... I guess I... missed you too. And I know that sleeping with Vincent was wrong, Sienna, but I swear to God that after it happened, I didn't know what to do. I didn't think when I was doing it and I was scared and I didn't know what to do, okay? You're right, you're right, I'll admit it. I should have told you and been a good friend but how was I supposed to tell you that? And then he told me that we could just keep it a secret and pretend it never happened and I thought that that was the best way to deal with it. I know it wasn't, but, I didn't want to be that girl, especially after seeing how hurt it made you. And I'm sure I'll regret saying this as soon as I stop speaking, but I'm sorry. I'm sorry for sleeping with him, I'm sorry for wanting him then, and maybe for still wanting him now. I'm sorry for being a bad friend and caring about how other people saw me more than how my friends saw me, and I'm sorry that that's not going to change, even after whatever we do from here. You have your family, and all of your friends outside of Jane and Piper, and your music and your career, and Vincent too, and I have my image, Sienna. It doesn't matter if I'm fatter than Jane, or uglier than Piper without makeup, or going no where in life compared to you, when I'm who I am at this school. All of that's going to end for me at the end of this year, I guess, and I can't let it go. I can't let... this person... this monster... that I've become go because it's all I have left and when it's over, it's over." Where did that come from? Sydney was too busy swiping at the tears that were now flowing at an unstoppable speed to regret every jumbled thought that had just come out of her mouth at lightning speed. She would regret them eventually, though. Even if she wouldn't regret coming clean to Sienna, dropping her walls and being a real, genuine and emotional human being by apologizing, she was going to regret how vulnerable she felt.
Sydney could find whatever semblance of control all she wanted because Sienna didn't even bother to try. By the time Sydney had moved and finished speaking, the tears had already gathered in Sienna's eyes and she couldn't even choke back the sob as she cried, "You had me!" She couldn't believe that Sydney could list off all of these things Sienna had as if Sydney did not have anything other than an image. "You have always had me, and Jane, and Piper when we're not thinking something's wrong about her. And you've had..." Sienna breathed, not even giving her brain the chance to berate her for being so weak, the tears falling down her cheeks faster than she would have liked. But to hell with it! They were there and there was no getting rid of them. "You've had everything I could have wanted, Syd. You're gorgeous, and you are so smart, and everyone wants to be you and that's not an image. That's charisma and you've had it, always, while I've had to sacrifice mine in order to fit a role. I even dyed my hair blonde to fool myself into thinking that I could be like you." Sienna couldn't see her own characteristics at the moment. She was too bare and at her core, she was just a girl who had more insecurities than her typical display of vanity would ever reveal. And Sydney...Sydney was everything!
"And you think I have friends? Half of them are either contractual because our managers thought it would be beneficial to our agencies, they entertain me because attention whore Sienna would just die without someone talking to her, or they just want something from me. They've all wanted something from me." Sienna could feel her voice starting to shake and swiped at her left cheek, hoping to somehow salvage something. However, the next words she spoke only made fresher tears emerge and the words came a bit faster. "And I wanted to hate you...so bad. Vince told me and I wanted to hate you both so bad because it would have been easy and I could have...I-I-I...but I couldn't...because you and Jane were the first real friends I've had since joining Roc Nation and I knew if I did anything, I would finally be alone and I know I am now, and it still hurts. You think my family is one hundred percent behind me, but Esmee's gonna push me away soon to find herself at Constance because Mom keeps trying to mold her too, and Mom's gonna hate me because I want to end it all, my Dad is never home, and I don't even know which brother is even in this state anymore." Sienna broke off at that point, not wanting to allow her words to turn to broken sobs.
It had been about three years since she had allowed herself to cry in Sydney Vale's presence and she wanted to feel the outrage she had back then for allowing herself to be vulnerable in front of her. But her pride be damned because she couldn't lie. She couldn't pretend. Not now. At the same time, the weight of their ending was a bit more than she honestly had thought she could handle and she truly had not fathomed the weakness Sydney's confession could provoke in her. Giving herself time to get out some careful breaths, Sienna met Sydney's gaze again, swiping at her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I went too far, and I should have just talked to you, but I...I-I didn't think you'd...I didn't think I meant as much to you as Jane did. And maybe I never had...I just...I wanted to think I could be on your level and that maybe, one day, we wouldn't be rivals...and I wouldn't just be a handmaiden in your court. I'd be your best friend and I get that that's over now...I just..." She didn't know how to finish that and a fresh wave of tears were beginning to form in her eyes, but Sienna was running out of words to say. She didn't know what other utterances she could make, what appeals she could formulate that could remedy their situation.
So, she turned away from Sydney, her back facing her...former friend and damn a tear for escaping the confines of her eye. Her voice was too small for her own good when she spoke, too ready to fall into sobs. "I'm sorry. W-we should go back inside. I'll tell Jane I'm sorry too." Sienna didn't know if she could wait for Sydney to say anything more - if Sydney had anything more to say - so she left. She flung herself out of the bathroom, wiping at her cheeks with the palm of her hand as she went. It seemed convenient that a staff member was emerging from the elevator shaft wearing the uniform of their event and stopped in front of her. "Miss, is everything - ?" Sienna interjected, "Five minutes. The Alvarez family car in five minutes." She didn't wait for a response, simply hurried back to the ballroom, minutely grateful for her mascara. She entered the room then, with everyone concentrated on whatever video it was that was going on. She didn't look for any other person in the room, simply headed to her table. She began gathering her things, not bothering to look up at Tori as she said, "You all can handle things from here." Once her computer and charger were in her bag, Sienna met the vice president's gaze and held it. "A word of any kind about today and I promise you, you won't have to worry about Sydney Vale coming for you. I'll have you shipped off to Denmark before you can press delete." The threat was probably unnecessary, but it made sense to whatever part of Sienna that needed it. Control? She didn't know and didn't bother to sit to figure it out. She took a different door than the other, one that was closer to the front of the building.
Once outside, Sienna only had to wait a matter of minutes before the town car pulled up and she threw herself in the backseat, not even bothering to hide the sob that erupted from her mouth just as her door was closed.
Carolina was on her way to seek out Sienna when Piper found her first. Before she could react to the redhead's sudden presence, she was embraced in a tight squeeze, which Carolina returned, not only because she loved Piper, but because she was sure the girl could use the affection today. And then, again before Carolina had a chance to speak, Piper started. She was going to ask the very question that Piper answered, so it really just saved time since she got right to the point. Though it was a clear explanation, Carolina still couldn't make much sense of the story. Why would her father come all the way from Canada, to pay Piper and Thomas into keeping their identities a secret? Was he some big celebrity whose image would really be affected that badly by them going to "the press"? Or had he started over some new life with a woman who would have shunned him for having children with another woman, and then being so heartless to give them up for no real reason? And why did he seek out them? Did he somehow find out that Piper had been relentlessly searching for her birth parents, and wanted to get to her before she could get to him? She knew Piper had to be heartbroken that this reunion hadn't worked out in her favor, but several thousand dollars?! Carolina would have taken that over knowing her birth parents any day. Then again, she wasn't interested or emotionally invested in discovering the people whose DNA she shared.
"I'm so sorry, Pipe," she said, taking her friend's hand and frowning. She wasn't great at consolations, and especially not in serious situation's like this. An apology from her couldn't do anything to rid Piper of the pain that she was definitely feeling. "I know that you wanted to meet him forever and this is probably the worst way that things could have played out. At least... you know now. You know who he is and where you stand. I don't know if that's reassuring or not, but at least you don't need to waste any more time trying to figure out who he is." She wished that she could say something to make Piper feel better, but doubted this was something that anyone, other than that father, could make right. And if he had the audacity to offer to pay off the two of them to keep their mouths shut, Carolina was sure that that was it. He could never want or have wanted an actual relationship with them.
She nodded when Piper wisely suggested that they end the conversation here for now. Although Carolina couldn't have cared less about what her peers thought of her - since, apparently, she was invisible to most of them anyway - she knew that Piper was quite the opposite of that. She was popular and had a reputation to uphold, and crying about a hardship that none of them thought she had was not going to make that easy. Charlotte was taking the stage and the video would be starting momentarily anyway. "The Lynch's have a table over here, and there's no way I'm surviving a lunch alone with these people. Sit with us," she offered, leading Piper towards the table, though it was more of a plea than anything else. Elite affairs like this never made her comfortable, but now that she had been thrust into the Lynch's life, she was expected to fit their mold. And God only knew that Carolina was not going to do that easily. Especially when Jane had already made it clear that she didn't want to be her friend anyway.
_____ T H EXC L A S SXP R E S I D E N T _____
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L O C A T I O N : Hotel Plaza Athenee, Manhattan, New York
DΙͺα΄Κα΄Ι’α΄α΄ Cα΄Κα΄Κ β¦ #007478 | TΚα΄α΄Ι’Κα΄ Cα΄Κα΄Κ β§ #7A7A7A
"So, there's no possible way to cut a piece of the video out, like at all?" Charlotte was asking one of the video technicians who went to St. Jude's. "Look, Lottie. I tried but, there's no way I can do it in seven, eight minutes." The junior, Jason looked at her before shrugging. She sighed as she rubbed her fingers through her hair, trying to get rid of the ragging headache she knew was about to form once she got off the stage. She was trying everything in her power to cut the video, shorten the video, or anything really at this point. But, everyone, seriously! Everyone lead her to a dead end. She pouted towards Jason who, honestly looked like he was upset that he couldn't help her but, after getting that look three times, she was tried of it. "What are you trying to cut out anyway-- If you don't mind me asking." She just shook her head as she begun to walk away. "Don't worry about it, Jace. Thanks anyway." She didn't even hear the younger boy's response as she walked back up three steps. She stood there for a second, tapping her foot as she went over her speech in her head and how she was going to deal with Brent. Which wasn't an issue, if there was anyone who could get under Brent's skin and give him a run for his money, it was Charlotte.
She heard her phone go off and rushed to her purse that was set off to the side on a fold out chair. She opened the text and saw Sienna name pop up. She smiled as she responded before finally taking a deep breath and relaxing.
To : Sienna <3
Thanks darlin! Finger crossed I don't mess up.
Looking at the time, she still had a few minutes left before she was suppose to go on, so she walked back into the ballroom just to see Sydney and Sienna walking out... together! She raised an eyebrow as she got a confused look on her face. Just like that they were going all buddy-buddy again? Is this why Sienna was so nervous earlier? She didn't want to tell Lottie that she was planning on going back to the top of the social latter with Sydney and leave Lottie just like that? She shook her head, she shouldn't jump to conclusion, maybe they were just making up or maybe... Sydney was about to get the living crud beat out of her. Anything was possible and Lottie had other things on her mind at the moment. She could text or talk to Sienna later.
Looking in the small mirror hanging on the wall next to the chair with her purse, Lottie fixed her hair for what felt like the millionth time before pulling her dress down to smooth out the ruffles. She touched up her ruby red lipstick and mascara that brought out her piercing blue eyes even more than usual. She had to admit, even Lottie herself thought she looked nice. Which was good because she wanted to prove to her sister she could dress herself and be just fine.
"And now without further ado, I'd like to present Constance Billard School for Girls senior class president, Miss. Charlotte H. Buchanan." She smirked as she heard the principal of her school say her whole name, every adult introduced her as 'Charlotte H. (or Hazel) Buchanan and she had no idea why. Either way, Lottie found herself walking on to the stage, grabbing the microphone and smiling before she could even get a word out. And right when she was about to speak, she heard wolf whistles coming from a few of the tables in the back which made her have to hold in her laugh. "Hi, everyone. My name is Charlotte Hazel Buchanan, I am the senior class president at Constance Billard. First of all, I would just like to thank ya'll for coming and helping raise money for the ALS Foundation. While I do not have a grand total just yet, I already know it's been a great success and it all thanks to ya'll and your generous donations," She waited for the applause to die down about before she continued. She cursed herself as she remembered what the dean said, she should try and hide her accent. But, it was hard! Besides, she was the Upper East Side's southern belle anyone who has met her or hear of her knows she has a thick Southern twang, so why hide it?
"So, every year the class presidents from both schools choose a foundation, or organization, or cause we would like to bring awareness to. My first year in office, my sophomore year I chose Epilepsy awareness, my junior year, I chose to bring awareness to the blind and deaf community, and this year I decided to do a disease that effects over 30,000 Americans alone, with 5,000 being diagnosed every year. And that disease, is ALS which stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body." She walked around the stage a bit as she continued to speak. It kept her cool, calmed, and collective. "To explain, somewhat in a nutshell. It is the the progressive degeneration of the motor neurons. So, when the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, people may lose the ability to speak, eat, move and even breathe. As of right now, there is only one drug specifically made to help treat the disease but, it is not a cure. It's only meant to somewhat slow it down. Now, like most of America, I didn't know much about the disease until this year when the ALS Ice Bucket challenge became a way to donate money towards the foundation. Now, I won't spend time goin' into it since I know for a fact most of us have seen of, heard of, or done the challenge. But, because of the awareness it brought to the disease we, as a country have earned over 100 million dollars. And while that's great and everything, why do we need a silly challenge to bring awareness to a disease hitting so close to home? Why do we need to rely on seven second video to help us donation millions of dollars towards such a serious disease? Which is why we're here today, now while I know it sounds impossible to stop and eliminate a disease by just raising money and bringing awareness to it.
A role model of mine, Stephen Hawking once said 'I believe things cannot make themselves impossible.' We make them seem impossible, and while this alone may not stop ALS, it does bring us just one step closer to living in a world without it. Thank you." She looked towards the audience and could tell Sienna had left sometime between when Lottie had went back to get ready and from the time she had finished her speech and while she was disappointed, she couldn't show it on her face. Not right now in front of everyone. She smiled as she looked around the room and heard the applause. She cleared her throat before putting the microphone back towards her mouth to speak. "Now, before I let ya'll eat and continue socializing, we do have a short video on ALS in America and how the ALS Foundation has helped hundreds of families all around America cope, deal, and learn about the disease." She put the microphone back on the stand before walking off and see her sister right there with a huge smile on her face. She pulled Lottie in for a hug before the older twin could even say a word. "That was so good! I knew you would kill it!" Rosie said as Lottie smiled and just could feel her heart pounding. "God, I was so nervous. I felt like I was gonna throw up or somethin'." Lottie admitted softly to her sister so no one could hear. The pair started to walk towards their table with their family towards the front. As the two sat down, their mother, Daisy kissed and hugged Rosie (She was always mother's favorite) while Lottie hugged and received a kiss from her dad, James who was finally back in town. Thank God, the divorced couple was acting civilized, they rarely did at home. The twins sat down, filling up the last two seat of the table that was taken up by the Buchanan family, her father'smistress, oops sorry wife, and their mother's boy toy, oops, fiancee. "You did wonderful, Hazelnut." She groaned at her father before shaking her head. "Daddy, not in front of our peers. It's embarrassin'." James just shook his head. "Gettin' too old for your old man, I see." Lottie just stuck her tongue out as she decided to text Sienna and see what was going on with her.
To : Sienna <3
Hey, what happened? Where'd you go??
She then turned to the projection screen to watch the video with her fingers tapping against the white tablecloth covered tables. Maybe he didn't see it, maybe it already passed--.." But, of course right when she thought of it in her head the video of Brent's parents and not only did it say their full names across the bottom, it stayed there the whole time their interview was going on, giving any student enough time to put two and two together. Until it finally switched to the last family before finally cutting off and the lights returning back to normal.
Lottie just rubbed her temples as she took a deep breath a heard Rosie chuckle. "Dead woman walkin'." Lottie turned her eyes to her before to her mother who asked what the comment was about. "Rose! What do you mean, dead woman walkin'?"[/color] Rosie just smirked and shrugged. "Oh, believe me. You'll find out soon enough." James just raised an eyebrow towards his oldest daughter who shrugged, did a half smiled, chuckled, and turned to the salad in front of her without saying a word. Rosie said enough for the both of them. They would all find out soon enough.
She heard her phone go off and rushed to her purse that was set off to the side on a fold out chair. She opened the text and saw Sienna name pop up. She smiled as she responded before finally taking a deep breath and relaxing.
To : Sienna <3
Thanks darlin! Finger crossed I don't mess up.
Looking at the time, she still had a few minutes left before she was suppose to go on, so she walked back into the ballroom just to see Sydney and Sienna walking out... together! She raised an eyebrow as she got a confused look on her face. Just like that they were going all buddy-buddy again? Is this why Sienna was so nervous earlier? She didn't want to tell Lottie that she was planning on going back to the top of the social latter with Sydney and leave Lottie just like that? She shook her head, she shouldn't jump to conclusion, maybe they were just making up or maybe... Sydney was about to get the living crud beat out of her. Anything was possible and Lottie had other things on her mind at the moment. She could text or talk to Sienna later.
Looking in the small mirror hanging on the wall next to the chair with her purse, Lottie fixed her hair for what felt like the millionth time before pulling her dress down to smooth out the ruffles. She touched up her ruby red lipstick and mascara that brought out her piercing blue eyes even more than usual. She had to admit, even Lottie herself thought she looked nice. Which was good because she wanted to prove to her sister she could dress herself and be just fine.
"And now without further ado, I'd like to present Constance Billard School for Girls senior class president, Miss. Charlotte H. Buchanan." She smirked as she heard the principal of her school say her whole name, every adult introduced her as 'Charlotte H. (or Hazel) Buchanan and she had no idea why. Either way, Lottie found herself walking on to the stage, grabbing the microphone and smiling before she could even get a word out. And right when she was about to speak, she heard wolf whistles coming from a few of the tables in the back which made her have to hold in her laugh. "Hi, everyone. My name is Charlotte Hazel Buchanan, I am the senior class president at Constance Billard. First of all, I would just like to thank ya'll for coming and helping raise money for the ALS Foundation. While I do not have a grand total just yet, I already know it's been a great success and it all thanks to ya'll and your generous donations," She waited for the applause to die down about before she continued. She cursed herself as she remembered what the dean said, she should try and hide her accent. But, it was hard! Besides, she was the Upper East Side's southern belle anyone who has met her or hear of her knows she has a thick Southern twang, so why hide it?
"So, every year the class presidents from both schools choose a foundation, or organization, or cause we would like to bring awareness to. My first year in office, my sophomore year I chose Epilepsy awareness, my junior year, I chose to bring awareness to the blind and deaf community, and this year I decided to do a disease that effects over 30,000 Americans alone, with 5,000 being diagnosed every year. And that disease, is ALS which stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body." She walked around the stage a bit as she continued to speak. It kept her cool, calmed, and collective. "To explain, somewhat in a nutshell. It is the the progressive degeneration of the motor neurons. So, when the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, people may lose the ability to speak, eat, move and even breathe. As of right now, there is only one drug specifically made to help treat the disease but, it is not a cure. It's only meant to somewhat slow it down. Now, like most of America, I didn't know much about the disease until this year when the ALS Ice Bucket challenge became a way to donate money towards the foundation. Now, I won't spend time goin' into it since I know for a fact most of us have seen of, heard of, or done the challenge. But, because of the awareness it brought to the disease we, as a country have earned over 100 million dollars. And while that's great and everything, why do we need a silly challenge to bring awareness to a disease hitting so close to home? Why do we need to rely on seven second video to help us donation millions of dollars towards such a serious disease? Which is why we're here today, now while I know it sounds impossible to stop and eliminate a disease by just raising money and bringing awareness to it.
A role model of mine, Stephen Hawking once said 'I believe things cannot make themselves impossible.' We make them seem impossible, and while this alone may not stop ALS, it does bring us just one step closer to living in a world without it. Thank you." She looked towards the audience and could tell Sienna had left sometime between when Lottie had went back to get ready and from the time she had finished her speech and while she was disappointed, she couldn't show it on her face. Not right now in front of everyone. She smiled as she looked around the room and heard the applause. She cleared her throat before putting the microphone back towards her mouth to speak. "Now, before I let ya'll eat and continue socializing, we do have a short video on ALS in America and how the ALS Foundation has helped hundreds of families all around America cope, deal, and learn about the disease." She put the microphone back on the stand before walking off and see her sister right there with a huge smile on her face. She pulled Lottie in for a hug before the older twin could even say a word. "That was so good! I knew you would kill it!" Rosie said as Lottie smiled and just could feel her heart pounding. "God, I was so nervous. I felt like I was gonna throw up or somethin'." Lottie admitted softly to her sister so no one could hear. The pair started to walk towards their table with their family towards the front. As the two sat down, their mother, Daisy kissed and hugged Rosie (She was always mother's favorite) while Lottie hugged and received a kiss from her dad, James who was finally back in town. Thank God, the divorced couple was acting civilized, they rarely did at home. The twins sat down, filling up the last two seat of the table that was taken up by the Buchanan family, her father's
To : Sienna <3
Hey, what happened? Where'd you go??
She then turned to the projection screen to watch the video with her fingers tapping against the white tablecloth covered tables. Maybe he didn't see it, maybe it already passed--.." But, of course right when she thought of it in her head the video of Brent's parents and not only did it say their full names across the bottom, it stayed there the whole time their interview was going on, giving any student enough time to put two and two together. Until it finally switched to the last family before finally cutting off and the lights returning back to normal.
Lottie just rubbed her temples as she took a deep breath a heard Rosie chuckle. "Dead woman walkin'." Lottie turned her eyes to her before to her mother who asked what the comment was about. "Rose! What do you mean, dead woman walkin'?"[/color] Rosie just smirked and shrugged. "Oh, believe me. You'll find out soon enough." James just raised an eyebrow towards his oldest daughter who shrugged, did a half smiled, chuckled, and turned to the salad in front of her without saying a word. Rosie said enough for the both of them. They would all find out soon enough.
By the time Sienna had made it back to her family's penthouse, the tears had reluctantly ceased in their non-stop waterfall. She wiped her face as best as she could while she had been in the backseat, using the makeup removal wipes before her door was opened. After her talk with Sydney and a text from her manager, Gabriella Mosci, confirming that her dinner with Jay Z and BeyoncΓ© were cancelled due to an 'unforeseen' possible business venture - no doubt, Ricky's doing - she didn't feel the need to wear make-up anymore, not even the minimal that she had been wearing in the first place. It was obvious, even to her old caretaker, Katherine, that Sienna was not in a good mood. "ΒΏQuΓ© pasa, pequeΓ±a?" Katherine asked, immediately at Sienna's side when she noticed the rather dejected look on the singer's face. Sienna didn't even humor Katherine's concern, not bothering to halt on her stride to her room nor speaking in her native tongue. "Nothing you can help me with." She felt the older woman's dark gaze piercing insistently at the side of her face, so she glanced at her and figured to fix her with something to do so Sienna could be free to do as she pleased. "I have a guest coming at six...Vincent. Fix something up for us, please. If anyone needs me, tell them I'm working." Katherine had been with the family since Sienna was a baby, so she was aware of who Vincent was and also understood what they both would enjoy for dinner. Sienna was at her bedroom door by that point, pausing only because Katherine seemed unwilling to move, so she glared at her until she did. When the caretaker was rounding the corner, Sienna pushed into her bedroom and closed the door behind her.
Once in the safety of her private quarters, she knew she couldn't stay trapped in the four walls. While comfortable and spacious, she knew she would feel suffocated long before Vincent would arrive and she didn't want to feel sick of her own room when she had to sleep here tonight. More than ever, she realized, she wanted to return to Long Island. Back to her family's estate, to the panoramic views of the nearby waters behind the wide expanse of land that made up her lawn, the game room, her private recording studio. She missed the comfort and privacy of that space - she missed the ability to truly escape. Despite the penthouse being fully hers and bought with her own money, her family's first home was the only home she wanted to be at. However, it was a Sunday and if she went back now, she wasn't going to school tomorrow and it was Sienna's goal to not miss a day so that the absences she took for her career would be the only ones tallied against her. It was a trivial matter to be concerned with, but it was enough to clear her head. A bit more able to think, she pulled out her phone and tossed her back on one of her small sofas to send out messages to a few friends.
To: Rick
U better hope I don't kill ur friend
To: Vincent
Anything in particular u want 4 dinner? Speak now b4 Katherine starts cooking
To: Piper, Carolina
Wasn't feeling all that well, so I went home. Srry. Enjoy the event. Maybe a girl nite 1 of these days?
To: Jane
Look, we talked. Things were exchanged. There's no war...I hope. But we need space. I'm still ur friend and we need 2 talk about ur summer soon, but I need space from Syd 4 now.
To: Madam President
Srry 4 leaving & srry 4 being elusive. Apparently, Rick is playing fairy godfather/matchmaker/therapist cuz he's making me talk 2 Vincent tonite & I didn't know how to word how I was feeling earlier. Talked 2 Sydney. No WWIII 2 b worried about, 4 now. I couldn't b there anymore. Srry
The last two gave her pause. Sienna knew that Charlotte was the more understanding between Jane and her, and that she would be willing to hear Sienna's side of the story. Jane, on the other hand, didn't want to hear anything that didn't satisfy her desires. And that was fine, it was something Sienna still found enduring because Jane could be so adorable and childlike at times. However, at this time, Sienna knew she didn't want to deal with that. She wanted Jane to understand - she couldn't force Sydney and Sienna to go back to the way they were just because it made her feel better. It obviously wasn't working the way they were before, so maybe distance was their best bet. Sienna didn't know if making up with Sydney was in the cards for her, but she...she didn't know what she was really thinking when it came to their situation. She just wanted to breathe without having to feel guilty. Once her messages her sent, she plugged her phone up to its charger, removed her day's outfit, and hopped into a long shower.
Setttled in a warm blanket of drowsiness and relaxation from the jasmine-scented oil she had added to her steam shower, Sienna stepped out of her bathroom with a plan. A good run down with the towel and some lotion, and she was dressed in a velour coral Juicy Couture sweat suit, the top hanging off of her left shoulder rather loosely. After a quick brush, her hair was pushed into a low ponytail and draped over her right shoulder. She didn't bother for shoes, just the first comfortable white socks that she found. Once fully dressed, she left her bedroom in pursuit of the one place not too many followed her into: her private recording studio. When they were looking for penthouses, Cynthia demanded that there be a space they could use for such so that Sienna would never slouch in her vocal training and recording. It knocked back two bedrooms and what would have been another man cave for her father, but it had a home-like feel to it that made Sienna feel better on days like this. It consisted of the writing room, complete with a sofa, a shelf for vocal training and music books, a shelf for electronic pianos, and then a regular sized piano Sienna had spent too much of her childhood in front of. Then the second room, on a slightly elevated level, consisted of the control room and a small isolation booth. It had been daunting as a child, being forced to spend hours perfecting songs she honestly had not cared that much about. But she had grown to love it. Plus, she didn't always work on serious pieces. Most of the time, what work she did at home consisted of covers and mixtapes that had never seen the light of day.
Once the door to the writing room was closed, Sienna didn't head to the isolation booth. Instead, she sat in front of her piano and began doing vocal warm-ups. It was a welcome distraction, a bit of an irony considering how much she bitched and moaned about this when she was younger...
Once in the safety of her private quarters, she knew she couldn't stay trapped in the four walls. While comfortable and spacious, she knew she would feel suffocated long before Vincent would arrive and she didn't want to feel sick of her own room when she had to sleep here tonight. More than ever, she realized, she wanted to return to Long Island. Back to her family's estate, to the panoramic views of the nearby waters behind the wide expanse of land that made up her lawn, the game room, her private recording studio. She missed the comfort and privacy of that space - she missed the ability to truly escape. Despite the penthouse being fully hers and bought with her own money, her family's first home was the only home she wanted to be at. However, it was a Sunday and if she went back now, she wasn't going to school tomorrow and it was Sienna's goal to not miss a day so that the absences she took for her career would be the only ones tallied against her. It was a trivial matter to be concerned with, but it was enough to clear her head. A bit more able to think, she pulled out her phone and tossed her back on one of her small sofas to send out messages to a few friends.
To: Rick
U better hope I don't kill ur friend
To: Vincent
Anything in particular u want 4 dinner? Speak now b4 Katherine starts cooking
To: Piper, Carolina
Wasn't feeling all that well, so I went home. Srry. Enjoy the event. Maybe a girl nite 1 of these days?
To: Jane
Look, we talked. Things were exchanged. There's no war...I hope. But we need space. I'm still ur friend and we need 2 talk about ur summer soon, but I need space from Syd 4 now.
To: Madam President
Srry 4 leaving & srry 4 being elusive. Apparently, Rick is playing fairy godfather/matchmaker/therapist cuz he's making me talk 2 Vincent tonite & I didn't know how to word how I was feeling earlier. Talked 2 Sydney. No WWIII 2 b worried about, 4 now. I couldn't b there anymore. Srry
The last two gave her pause. Sienna knew that Charlotte was the more understanding between Jane and her, and that she would be willing to hear Sienna's side of the story. Jane, on the other hand, didn't want to hear anything that didn't satisfy her desires. And that was fine, it was something Sienna still found enduring because Jane could be so adorable and childlike at times. However, at this time, Sienna knew she didn't want to deal with that. She wanted Jane to understand - she couldn't force Sydney and Sienna to go back to the way they were just because it made her feel better. It obviously wasn't working the way they were before, so maybe distance was their best bet. Sienna didn't know if making up with Sydney was in the cards for her, but she...she didn't know what she was really thinking when it came to their situation. She just wanted to breathe without having to feel guilty. Once her messages her sent, she plugged her phone up to its charger, removed her day's outfit, and hopped into a long shower.
Setttled in a warm blanket of drowsiness and relaxation from the jasmine-scented oil she had added to her steam shower, Sienna stepped out of her bathroom with a plan. A good run down with the towel and some lotion, and she was dressed in a velour coral Juicy Couture sweat suit, the top hanging off of her left shoulder rather loosely. After a quick brush, her hair was pushed into a low ponytail and draped over her right shoulder. She didn't bother for shoes, just the first comfortable white socks that she found. Once fully dressed, she left her bedroom in pursuit of the one place not too many followed her into: her private recording studio. When they were looking for penthouses, Cynthia demanded that there be a space they could use for such so that Sienna would never slouch in her vocal training and recording. It knocked back two bedrooms and what would have been another man cave for her father, but it had a home-like feel to it that made Sienna feel better on days like this. It consisted of the writing room, complete with a sofa, a shelf for vocal training and music books, a shelf for electronic pianos, and then a regular sized piano Sienna had spent too much of her childhood in front of. Then the second room, on a slightly elevated level, consisted of the control room and a small isolation booth. It had been daunting as a child, being forced to spend hours perfecting songs she honestly had not cared that much about. But she had grown to love it. Plus, she didn't always work on serious pieces. Most of the time, what work she did at home consisted of covers and mixtapes that had never seen the light of day.
Once the door to the writing room was closed, Sienna didn't head to the isolation booth. Instead, she sat in front of her piano and began doing vocal warm-ups. It was a welcome distraction, a bit of an irony considering how much she bitched and moaned about this when she was younger...
Ricardo had watched, faintly interested, when Sydney left him in pursuit of Jane and Sienna. He had watched as apparently, Sydney had acknowledged Sienna verbally because his favorite Latina finally graced the queen bee with her own look of acknowledgement. It was easy to note the tension at the table because Jane had scurried off without so much as a backwards glance at her two closest friends and well, the unimportant brunette that was left was only acknowledged for a second as Sienna lead Sydney out of the ballroom. Chuckling to himself, he murmured, "And so it begins..." Not looking back in their direction and thinking the girls might either take long or regain his attention because of a catfight, Rick turned and headed to his father's table, joining in on a small joke he honestly could give two fucks about. But it was that he was a socialite and as always, he had to play the part. So, he swallowed the biting retort about the corniness of the joke and laughed behind the glass of water. While sitting, he did manage to get two texts out.
To: Connor, Vincent
Bored as fuck & neither of u r here to entertain me. Smh
It was once the video was over and main courses were being served that Rick decided to make his rounds. Once this cycle of greeting and conversing passed, he was permitted to leave and go about his day. His father had taken his words about Roc Nation to heart, because as soon as he was finished eating, he was going to schedule something with Jay Z as soon as possible to at least begin brainstorming. It left Ricardo tasked with giving the check, which was fine with him. It wouldn't be the first time that Carlos left him with a fifty million dollar check. He stopped, firstly, at the Alvarez family table, getting a peck on the cheek from Cynthia and an uncomfortable sneer from Esmee. She gave him a different reaction from Sienna's. Sienna would simply sneer and make a quip. Esmee seemed...put off by his attention and it made him laugh a little, especially when Cynthia told her to behave. After that, he made his way over to the Buchanan family table, pausing behind Charlotte's chair. "And here's the happy and proud family," Rick greeted with a charming smile, meeting Charlotte's parents' gazes first. "Sir, ma'am, you have a perspicacious daughter. And, of course, with your hard work, I'm sure." Once that was settled and he nodded to their significant others, Rick's gaze fell on Rose and Lottie. "Rose," he purred with a wink. Finally, he grinned at Charlotte, dangling the check at her playfully. "And my favorite future US president. As always, you were great. I would stay, but I have important matters to attend to. Where do I drop this little thing off?" He knew where, he just wanted to mess with her.
To: Connor, Vincent
Bored as fuck & neither of u r here to entertain me. Smh
It was once the video was over and main courses were being served that Rick decided to make his rounds. Once this cycle of greeting and conversing passed, he was permitted to leave and go about his day. His father had taken his words about Roc Nation to heart, because as soon as he was finished eating, he was going to schedule something with Jay Z as soon as possible to at least begin brainstorming. It left Ricardo tasked with giving the check, which was fine with him. It wouldn't be the first time that Carlos left him with a fifty million dollar check. He stopped, firstly, at the Alvarez family table, getting a peck on the cheek from Cynthia and an uncomfortable sneer from Esmee. She gave him a different reaction from Sienna's. Sienna would simply sneer and make a quip. Esmee seemed...put off by his attention and it made him laugh a little, especially when Cynthia told her to behave. After that, he made his way over to the Buchanan family table, pausing behind Charlotte's chair. "And here's the happy and proud family," Rick greeted with a charming smile, meeting Charlotte's parents' gazes first. "Sir, ma'am, you have a perspicacious daughter. And, of course, with your hard work, I'm sure." Once that was settled and he nodded to their significant others, Rick's gaze fell on Rose and Lottie. "Rose," he purred with a wink. Finally, he grinned at Charlotte, dangling the check at her playfully. "And my favorite future US president. As always, you were great. I would stay, but I have important matters to attend to. Where do I drop this little thing off?" He knew where, he just wanted to mess with her.
To say that Sienna's unexpected compliment made Tori uncomfortable was an understatement. Not only was it unnecessary and unexpected, but it didn't feel genuine. She was probably being paranoid, but why would Sienna call her over "just to see her face" and invite her to sit with them. The lack of enthusiasm in Jane's agreement that she was pretty had her wanting to slap the heiress in the face, but she was too skeptical of the situation to focus on the airhead. She was sure that Sienna was toying with her and it bothered her immensely that she wasn't in control. She could only curse herself for agreeing to make the post about Sydney. If Sienna had outed her about starting the rumor about Charlotte and exposed her gossip blogs, that would have been bad. But now, she was in a position where Sienna could still release all of that information plus that she leaked the Vincent/Sydney scandal to the public. Not only would she face all of the consequences of the first scenario, but Sydney Vale would never be her friend, and actually, would probably come after her. According to some of the rumors Victoria had heard following the posts, Sydney already assumed the worst; that it was Sienna who ran the blog and made the post. It wasn't like Victoria could reciprocate and hold that over her head, because it was already speculated over. It wouldn't be big news. So, she was trapped. She could remain a loyal minion of Sienna's to protect herself and her chance at becoming popular, while relinquishing the power over her blog that she coveted, or refuse, and essentially commit social suicide. It was a lose, lose situation, but for now, she had to go with the first choice.
"Oh... thanks!" Victoria responded in a nervous, half-hearted manner as she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She didn't know if the compliment was a joke or genuine, since she wasn't friends with Sienna, but knew that she couldn't just remain silent. Before she could sit down as Sienna directed, a nightmarish situation unfolded. Sydney Vale was headed their way.
She found out... Oh my God... she found out! She knows I posted it. Maybe Sienna was lying, and Sydney never slept with Vincent, and this was some elaborate plan by the two of them to give them some reason to tear me apart. Sydney's going to hate me. I never should have pos-
Victoria had fixed a superficial smile on her face as Sydney spoke to Jane, attempting to hide the mental breakdown she was having. Her mind was racing with regrets over the post as she awaited the moment that Sydney revealed that her social life was over, but when the blonde acknowledged her, it was only with a quick glance and an underhanded comment hinting that she was glad Charlotte won presidency over her. "Yeah, she did great," Victoria agreed, again in a forced cheerful tone. If she were blind or decorated this place in pitch darkness I would say she did great. But this? Oh, please! Victoria normally savored the attention that Sydney Vale gave her, but now she was relieved when both of the blondes decided to leave the table. It would give her the opportunity to get away too... or so she had hoped. But no, Sienna asked, or indirectly demanded, that she stay and work on what she had been doing until she got back. And as if the answer no was not a part of her vocabulary, Victoria offered a hollow "Definitely!" and manned the table for the next five minutes.
The girls left the ballroom for long enough that Victoria started to overthink again. She wondered if Sienna was admitting to asking Victoria to make the post, but spinning it to make it seem like Victoria tried to hurt Sydney with it. Sienna could easily throw her under the bus and Sydney wouldn't care to consider that it wasn't her fault. She didn't even answer Victoria's texts unless she needed something, why would she believe that Victoria was forced to make the post? Again, she cursed herself for allowing anyone to have this much power over her. She hated it. It made her skin crawl, just thinking about not being in control of, not only her social life, but of her blog. The one place she had to shoot back at the bitches who brushed her off, was now on the brink of being exposed. One wrong move, one slip of saying "no, bitch" aloud, rather than in her head to Sienna, and it was over. This is not okay! But then, before she had time to process what was happening, Sienna was back and then gone again, leaving her only with a threat that Victoria knew not to test. "Of course not!" was all that she could get out before the red eyed girl had packed up her bags and disappeared from her line of vision. She wasn't going to post anything right now, and definitely not something about Sienna directly, but could Victoria really resist a scandal like this? She didn't even know what this was, but the look on Sienna's face, matched with Sydney's lack of presence spelled scandal. And Victoria was all over that.
To: Charlotte
Great job up there :)! Sienna left, looked upset :(. Know what's up?
To: Carolina
Wanna run the social media for SGA for the rest of the event? Sienna bailed... looked upset. :/ I hope she's okay! Any idea what happened?
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L O C A T I O N : Hotel Plaza Athenee, Manhattan, New York
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- "So... You're boyfriend's going to be mad because he is in that video?" Her father's wife, Tatiana asked as she tilted her head in confusion from what Rosie had just told them about Brent and Lottie. Lottie groaned for the fifth time before shaking her head. "He is not my boyfriend. He's just this little twerp who loves to piss me off. And, he wasn't in it his family was." The blonde Romanian nodded as she finally got it. "Why don't you just tell him you had no idea." James asked as he turned towards his daughter with his arm resting behind his chair. "You don't know Barclay. He's unreasonable, and ill-tempered, 'sides, I don't have to explain a damn thing to him." Lottie concluded as she took a sip of her diet coke. James simply nodded. "That's my girl." Lottie and James smirked and hide their chuckles from their disapproving ex-wife and mother who just shook her head and looked at Rosie. "She doesn't have to but, she will." Rosie added. Lottie just groaned but, before she could object she felt someone come up behind her seat.
"And here's the happy and proud family," Lottie took a sigh of relief as she heard Ricky's voice. She turned towards the 'king' with a smile. They weren't best friends but, they were close enough plus she was probably one of the only people who had the balls to call him on his player ways without being afraid of what he was going to say. She called it how she saw it, which you had to respect. "Sir, ma'am, you have a perspicacious daughter. And, of course, with your hard work, I'm sure." She watched both of her parents offer a smile towards Ricky watching his focus turn to their dates and then to Rose. "Rose."
You see, unlike Lottie who saw Ricky as averagely attractive, Rosie saw him as one of the sexiest guys she had ever seen in her life. "Rick." Rosie said back to him before winking. Lottie just smirked before rolling her eyes. When he turned towards her, she cleared throat as she looked up at him. "And my favorite future US president. As always, you were great. I would stay, but I have important matters to attend to. Where do I drop this little thing off?" She smirked as she looked over towards the donation table."Hey, that means a lot comin' from my favorite little heartthrob. You can turn them in right over--.." Right when she spoke she turned to her phone when it went off and read the message from Sienna. Lottie licked her lips before grabbing her phone and the check from Ricky's hand. "Actually, I'll show you where they go. I'll be back in a jiffy guys." She scooted her chair back and smiled towards the table before walking away with Ricky in tow. To the unseeing eye, Ricardo's relaxed smirk never changed and he seemed unfazed by Charlotte's response. After all, hearing it at face value, it was nothing more than a response between friends. However, after a few years of friendship, even he detected the sarcasm interlaced with the easy sweetness Charlotte Buchanan was known for. And it amused him, causing his lips to give a slight twitch that only she could see. He had been prepared to leave directly after Charlotte replied to him, but then the check was out of his hand. One of Rick's dark eyebrows rose in interest as Charlotte stood, but he said nothing at first. He simply allowed her to grasp a hold of his hand. Upon her tug, Rick glanced back at the rest of the family. "You all." His gaze fell on Rose for a second, "Rose." Finally back to the family as Charlotte pulled him away, "Enjoy the rest of your afternoon."
When they made it to the back, she put the check in the box with the others before turning to Ricky with her right hand on her hip with her left resting on the table as she raised an eyebrow. Once at the donation box, Rick watched with amused interest as Charlotte placed his check in herself, joking lightly. "If you wanted to be alone with me so badly, Buchanan, all you had to do was ask." It was an unnecessary comment, but teasing nonetheless. Above any girl, Charlotte was the one he knew he could never talk into his bed. It made their friendship a bit more genuine as there was nothing else there, just two people throwing digs at one another all for the sake of playful banter. "Now enlighten me, Ricky. What are you planning and why you want Sienna to talk to Vincent?"
Lottie rolled her eyes and kept her eyes on him. She got enough of the banter for today. At her inquiry, he turned away and glanced up at the ceiling, humming to himself in a mocking thoughtful manner. As he looked up at the ceiling Lottie's eyes filled with more annoyance. Finally, with a lascivious grin, his dark eyes met her piercing blue. "Why are you concerned? Afraid he'll stop flirting with you?"
"Please, Vincent flirting with me is the last thing I need or want in my life. She said as she smiled as a junior girl walked past the two and said hi. She turned her attention back to Ricky and the question at hand. "Ricky, seriously. Sienna has already lost Sydney and Vincent as friends this year, not to mention that Vince cheated on her with Sydney. So, what the point of getting the two of them to talk and trying to play their matchmaker or whatever?"
Ricky didn't even react to Charlotte's original comment, simply rolling his eyes at the next words that came out of her mouth. [b]"Matchmaker, huh? That's kinda cute. Sia's doing, I bet?" He didn't intend to receive a response to that, but he also wasn't about to outwardly show his frustration. They were at a social event, after all, and he wouldn't lose his composure with so many of his father's colleagues and drinking buddies around. So, he turned away from Charlotte a bit, allowing his gaze to rove over the ballroom with a pleasant smile as he stated, "I get that you're protective of her, I do. Which was why I've been flirting with Sienna in that dumb ass's face, I'll have you know."
Pausing for a moment, Rick glanced back at Charlotte and although his face in its entirety said displayed nothing but playful in the eyes of everyone who would see them, he stared at Charlotte imploringly. "Say what you want about Vincent, but he does care about her. Love her, even. He's just...putting on a show and trying to impress whomever he's trying to impress. It's a waste of time, really, and I'm not as amused as before. And for the record, I care about Sia. Which is why they need to talk. You may think keeping them apart is what's best for them - or her, really - but it's not. And instead of acting like kids and running from each other the second one of them gets jealous, it's about time they start acting like adults, don't you think?" He had a point, she would never say that but, he did.
She sighed sharply before nodding, keep her eyes toward the entrance and away from Rick. "Fine, you might have a point. But... What if it backfires and--..and it only makes things worst? Then what are you gonna do?" She asked with concern as turned her eyes back to Ricky's. She was no longer irritated over him trying to get the to talk, she couldn't be. She knew he meant well once he explained and she had to respect him trying to get the two to talk... now. But, now she was worried and concerned. What if did only make things worst? Then what? She already had to see Sienna upset over Sydney and have to comfort her. She didn't want to have to rush to her close friend's side once more because something happened with Vincent.Ricardo expelled a large quantity of air, shoving his hands into the pockets of his expensive pants.
He honestly did not want to think of this not working out, mostly because he didn't want another year of foolishness. The longing looks his best friend cast Sienna's way when he thought no one was listening needed to come to fruition. So, he stated with a lack of delicacy, "Then the dumb ass loses her forever and you help Sienna officially move on. I already told him that." Sighing again, Rick nodded to a few lacrosse players who were headed to the front door. Rather decidedly, he straightened whatever crookedness his mind has deemed was in his suit before staring surreptitiously at Charlotte, "Now, if you don't mind, this Good Samaritan bullshit has left me parched. See you tomorrow, Charlotte." Giving her a wink and a warm clasp on the shoulder, Ricardo turned and headed for the exit in pursuit of a scotch at the nearest bar. As he walked away, she just rolled her eyes as she shook her head. He was definitely one of a kind. She couldn't think about it much before her phone went off, she raised an eyebrow as she saw Tori's name and the text that was under it. She chuckled as she shook her head as she responded. She really thought Lottie was going to tell her anything? Please, Lottie was from the South, that didn't make her an idiot. She quickly sent her text before deciding it was time to return to her table.
To : Tori
Thanks Tori, that means a lot! <3 And yea, I saw her leave when I was on stage but, idk why. Sorry hun. :(
With luck, Brent couldn't find her and left... Probably not but, a girl could dream. She sat back down only to hear her parents getting into it over who had a better chance at a successful future; Lottie or Rosie while Rose was texting on of her friends, not even paying any mind to the ex-couple while their significant others just stayed out of it. They didn't need to get involved.
Brent expected Charlotte to respond to his final remarks, and he planned on letting her get the last word as he smirked and walked away, but she took him by surprise when she caught up to him and grabbed him. He turned around, even more surprised when she yanked him closer to her. If he wasn't focusing on how good she smelled, a faint vanilla aroma coming off of her, or how she looked even better this close than she did from their normal distance, he would have chuckled at the "Breaking Bad" reference. He did catch the part where she warned him that she would "destroy" him, and that definitely elicited a laugh, but it was a short lived moment, for Rose interrupted them shortly after. "Don't worry about it! I'll change tomorrow's reservation to a table for three. You know I'm always down for a threesome with twins," he called out as the blondes hurried down the hallway. He won that one, but he believed Lottie when she claimed that that wasn't the end of the conversation, and he had no complaints about that.
The event was flooded with adults which meant that most of his usual customers were too hesitant to buy anything this morning. It was certainly an annoyance, as Brent still had a bag of ecstasy that needed to go, but he had made fifty dollars so far, and Piper had spoken to Jane. By the end of the day, he was sure that he was going to feel better, and his pocket would feel heavier.
To: Piper
I'll be happy when the bug's in her ear AND the pills are in her mouth. But it's a good start Good job Pipe xD. Shall we do the exchange tonight? Ur place or are the rents still pissed at you?
To: Kelley
Smh I thought you were in the SGA
With Charlotte occupied with the charity event and Brent's sales capacity reached, his presence no longer seemed necessary. It wasn't like he had a check to donate and he sure as hell didn't want to stick around these high society folks any longer than he had to. Plus, the dress shirt he was wearing made him feel uncomfortable and itchy. It was time to leave, and he headed towards the front of the ballroom. He had nearly made it out when he heard Charlotte's voice over the microphone and decided that he could deal with the stuffy environment for a few more minutes, if it meant he could formulate some new jabs over whatever lame speech she made. As expected, he was blindsided when she said the event was for the ALS Foundation. ALS didn't just "hit close to home" for him... it was what shaped his life. He assumed that it was just a coinicidence... the ALS challenge had caused a firestorm on social media lately... maybe she was just following that trend. But no, he was proved wrong when a video came on and his own family was featured! He had briefly remembered his dad talking about it to him in a phone call. Some time last spring, the foundation had interviewed his father and taken video of his mother down at the hospital she was being treated at in Arkansas. Brent didn't pay it any mind, and this was the first time he was seeing it. His father discussed how detrimental the disease was, how it took away all of the freedom that his once energetic and youthful wife had. His father could be seen holding a photo of the entire family and as the camera panned in on the photograph and Jesse started talking about Brent and Cameron, Brent froze. It was bad enough that the video featured his father and mother. Their names were plastered on the video and if anyone cared enough, maybe they would put two and two together and realize that it was his father. But maybe not. It wasn't like Brent was a Ricardo or Vincent, where people actually cared about him. When his photograph was shown in the video, he felt like this was a personal attack on Charlotte's part. She had to have reviewed the video before this event. Hell, she might have been the one to put it together and ask for his family's interview to be included! And that was low. Even for Charlotte Buchanan, someone who he regularly received insults from, attacking him in such a personal way just seemed ruthless. Brent was never an emotional person and his face was stone cold now, but he was embarrassed. Mortified, really, and as the video came to a close, he darted for the door. If he was just angry, he would have sent the blonde a text and told her that she wasn't just self righteous, but a bitch too, but he wasn't really mad at her. She was helping his family by holding a fundraiser like this, even if it was indirectly. He just felt humiliated. Humiliated that his family needed help from snobby rich people who felt like they were patron saints for sharing a penny's worth of their fortunes. Humiliated that his debilitated mother was shown on that video, as if she were just a way to sell the charity's message. As selfish as it was, he was humiliated that he was now a face of some charity case too. And Charlotte had known all of this and probably done it on purpose. He had laughed off the thought of her ever being able to destroy him, but in one slick move, he dramatically felt like she had certainly destroyed his image and pride.