oxygemist

[oxygemist]

chingcna.

It’s… complicated.

The issues her previous relationship left her with make everything so, so hard. She wishes she could say more, be more eloquent and perhaps even find the words to tell him how he feels. Instead, meek as always, Charlotte can only hum and nod. She’s changed so much. Once a social butterfly, now she can no longer go grocery shopping without having to deal with an uneasy feeling bothering her the moment she steps outside her penthouse. Still, even with that, Charlotte didn’t think twice before dropping what she was doing in order to come meet Leo. She waits a moment before she gently pulls her hand back away from his face along with the frozen peas. It still looks bad but at least the cold was able to help just a little. “W-want me to help you cover the bruises?” She is practically an expert at it now. The marks Gabriel would leave on her were easier to hide but she is confident she can help Leo out.

“Yeah?“ His words get her to actually smile at him, heart beating hard against her chest. Not only does she want to keep an eye on him but she genuinely wants to spend time with Leo. Maybe these aren’t the best circumstances, but she’ll take it. Charlotte is used to life being shitty towards her anyway. “Only if you want to.“ It doesn’t matter what they do, she is happy being there. “You should probably lie down.“ With the back of her hand, she caresses his cheek before rising to her feet. “I’m getting you something for the pain. Please don’t move.“

                    ❛ &. ┊     He  knows  little  details  about  the  life  before  she  stumbled  int  the  wrong  seminar  and  caught  him  tutoring  early  undergrad  students in  organic  chemistry. Knows  Gabriel,  unfortunately,  albeit conversations  with  him  also  were  reduced  to  the  absolute minimum  required  to  move  along. Yet  is  it  evident  in  a  posture, the  scars  of  domestic violence  persistent  even  after  years  of  enduring it,  and  knew  he  from  the  very  beginning  on  how  much  it  would  impact  his  own  mannerisms. Leonard  Richards  was  a  charming  young  man,  loud,  laughing, warm  in  every  word  and  touch  given  --  and  yet  changed he,  adapted  he,  to  become  one  she  would  be  comfortable with.  And  still  he  sees  the  subtle terror  hiding  behind clear  eyes  whenever voice  becomes  firmer, louder,  than  it  absolutely  has  to  be.  In  any  other  situation, comes  the  outreach of  a  hand  as  a  natural  act  of  reassurance. But  here,  with  Charlie,  keeps  he  his  hands  at  his  own  sides.  Asks  more  questions  than  he  would  have  otherwise.

“  I’m  not  sure  if  it  wouldn’t be  better  to  call  in  sick  on  Monday,  ”  he  answers,  pensive.  “  But  if  not,  I’d  be  expected to  show  up  at  high  school  a  quarter  to  ten.  And  I  don’t  want  you  to  get  up  early  just  so  you  can  help  me  make  myself look  presentable.  ”  And  he  certainly doesn’t  look  like  it,  in  any  possible way.  It’s  doubtful  that  the  swelling  might  disappear  completely until  then  but  could  a  thick  layer  of  foundation perhaps  reduce  the  miscoloration  that  makes  his  features look  all  the  more  terrifying. The  warm  palm  against  this  cheek  takes  him  by  surprise,  then,  though  only  a  little; lips  curl  upwards  as  much  as  they  can  and  his  frame  follows  her  orders,  makes  himself  a  little  more  comfortable  on  the  couch.  “  Have  you  ever  seen  Sister Act?  ”

[oxygemist]

chingcna.

Is she doing a terrible job? She feels like she is. The last thing Charlie wants, along with seeing him hurt, is to bother or inconvenience him in any way. When packing her things and going to his apartment, she believed she would be helping him but know she fears she is nothing but an annoyance. “Oh.” She frowns, lips tightly pressed together. “And then whoever was in that fight got mad and tried to fight you instead?” He honestly looks like he had come straight out of a boxing ring. When Leo begins listing the things he currently has in his kitchen, Charlotte’s brain starts working instantly. It’s not much but she can work with that. She’s skilled enough to turn nothing into a gourmet dish. His question makes her hum. “I don’t want to bother you.” Translation: I want to and it’s what I planned but I’m not sure you want that. Charlie isn’t the best with words when she’s sad. 

                   ❛ &. ┊     Language isn’t much of his strength, either, but knows he at least enough to recognise the underlying message. Hopes, perhaps, almost that his interpretation isn’t as far-fetched as it appears to be when eyes show anything but reluctance in the gaze that is cast through him, elsewhere. “ Yeah. ” His fist is hardly the first one to rise, hands far more prone in pulling two squabblers away from each other but... isn’t he particularly fond of unnecessary shiners either, trains often enough to finish a fight he hasn’t begun. And yet becomes exactly that an insecurity in Charlie’s presence; she’s warm, vulnerable, all traits that he has left behind somewhere when juvenile naivité became young adult bitterness. He walks into the classroom filled to the brim with terribly bored students and sees eyes that entirely lack motivation to change, the world, themselves, wonders why he hasn’t become a revolutionist instead. When chemistry has turned from fascinating sorcery into dull incomprehension.

A meagre smile on torn lips, though mind flickers briefly the question as to how he sufficiently might cover the injuries on Monday morning. Doubts undeniably that parents wouldn’t take immediate offense at their children’s teacher appearing with bruises and scratches across swollen features. But is that pushed aside, still has an entire weekend to figure it out. “ I’d like it if you stayed. ” She keeps him from thinking too much and from thinking too negatively about the  future. About anything when it boils down to it. “ I’m not sure if I can see much with my left eye but we could watch something. ”

[oxygemist]

chingcna.

His tone along with his choice of words make Charlotte move away. Her hand is still holding onto the bag of frozen peas all while her gaze is now on her lap. Her intentions were to help Leo, not upset him. She can’t help that she is so sensitive. After years of Gabriel talking to her like that it’s hard not to. Charlie takes a deep breath before looking up. She hurts for Leo, she really does. She wishes nothing more than to find a way in which he could longer feel any pain. “I want to do it.” She wants and needs to. Cooking is always something that helps her calm her anxiety, keep it a bay even if it’s just for a moment. “It’s k-kind of hard for me not to worry when things like this happen to you,” she whispers as she points towards the bruise she hopes will disappear soon. “What happened?”

                    ❛ &. ┊     God knows, she deserves better than to swallow up all the frustration that piles up in heavy bones. Fingertips loosen their grip ‘round a delicate wrist, palm instead finding his features, his hair -- attempting somewhat to wipe the frown off his forehead but is the attempt not particularly fruitful. And hurts bruised flesh when thumb brushes across the injury by accident, nevertheless lessening whatever expression haunts a countenance. “ I tried to separate a fight, ” comes his meagre explanation and he’s not sure if it even suffices, if it calms a mind enough to forgive him -- or at least not fear his resentment. The space between figures returns, reassuring, as he gives her the option of pulling back entirely. “ There’s... rice and vegetables. I probably have some leftover tofu in the fridge. You could make a stir-fry. ” Mind still doesn’t like the image, has never quite liked the idea of being cooked for rather than cooking together but... seems any other option unjustified. Voice collects itself to utter, “ Do you plan on staying the night? ”

[oxygemist]

chingcna.

Charlie can only make a face in reply. Maybe he doesn’t think it’s bad or maybe he is just trying to downplay his injuries. Whatever the truth is, she doesn’t accept his words. She carefully holds onto the kitchen towel she is using to keep her hand from getting too sore due to the frozen peas. “I think it’s bad,” she finally mumbles. As much she doesn’t want to, her eyes end up fixating on his wounds. She hates looking at bruises so the sight makes her fingers tremble. “Just stay still, please.” Charlie really doesn’t mind coming over and taking care of him. “Did you eat? After I clean you up I can whip something up.” God knows she needs to take cover in the kitchen in order to calm herself after seeing him. 

                     ❛ &. ┊     Oh, he knows how bad it looks, certainly knows how bad it feels when fingertips are just a little too callous and the temperature of peas pressed against purple skin a little to drastic for him not to grimace in pain -- in uncalled for temper. “ You think too much. ” Sounds harsher than it’s meant to be and warm hand clasps abruptly around a trembling wrists, steadies it as much as he restrains the range of motion. But he can’t possibly hurt her, is incapable to -- even the harshness of a voice and the firmness of a grip melts into something different when head withdraws and bloodshot eyes meet the worry plastered across Charlie’s features. “ I can still cook, C. You don’t have to mother me just because I broke somebody’s nose. ” And that somebody nearly his. “ Stop worrying so much, yeah? Makes you older. ”

[oxygemist]

                      ❛ &. ┊     “ It’s not half as bad as you make it out to be, Charlie. ” Yet is his insisting not particularly persuasive when silhouette flinches as a package of frozen peas is pressed against a teal-coloured cheek bone. There’s better activities to entertain oneself with than to stitch up a vigilante anti-hero and still here she is, insisting that he keep still while fingertips attempt to cool down the wound. God knows, he’d just wanted to drink a pint of good, old Irish beer. “ I sent you the message to say that I’d be running late tomorrow -- and not so you’d barge in and play nurse. ”   / /   @chingcna. charlie.

[oxygemist]

@timebcmb-xx.

FULL MOON

[oxygemist]

timebcmb-xx.

Now that she was up on her feet, heels clinking against the pathway as their bodies rocked alongside one another, Demetria couldn’t resist but lift her two wrists –– bangles of bracelets singing a melody that went solely with the beat box sounding steps of stilettos as her palms collided against one another to draw all musical attention to nothing but her single applaud. Amused hazels glimmered under the moonlight, the twinkling of glitter that danced behind two viridescents reflective of the stars that stained a navy sky with their shimmer. “Very good. Very good, indeed. Although I wouldn’t go around reciting your little monologue to just any girl walking around this campus, otherwise you might just have them quivering at the knees.” Her tone was dripping with its own style of seduction, though the whisper that rolled from her tongue also spread itself like butter –– a tease tainting her choice of wording as though she was attempting to speak on her own behalf, whilst mocking him. Their personalities were already beginning to bounce one another, their interests growing unveiled as smaller jokes were being cracked between the pair. Pretty bum… That was a nickname ( albeit, childish ) that the brunette could get used to. Truth be told, Demetria found his impression hilarious and had she not studied literature, she may not have grasped it. Though to understand something as complex as Shakespeare, it was important to demonstrate her own knowledge of other interpretations too. Demetria was savvy to reworkings and as cliché as it made her seem, her favourite would continue to be the Baz Luhrmann version of Romeo and Juliet. 

“And did it? Did it work?”

Hanging on to every single word that the blonde had to offer, Demetria found her hazel hues entirely hypnotised by Leonard’s complete aura. Pearls clamped their way around a cherry blossom lip as excitement danced along her irises, her shoulder brushing against his every now and then as she followed him to the secret spot in which they hid the remainder of alcohol. There was a chord that struck within her soul, sparking curiosity as to why the two had never really spoken before. Perhaps, it was the fact that they both indulged in two completely different majors. Leo was a science nerd, whereas Demetria was the literature student who wrote about sparks between two elements ( a metaphor for two people ). Nevertheless, their paths were crossing now and that was what truly mattered. Two sporadic beings who were simply trying to find their place within a college and working towards two completely different goals and yet, their personalities just seemed to compliment one another’s perfectly.

As they found themselves clambering in to some smaller building, much like a modernised shed, the beauty found herself blinded by the white light –– squinting momentarily as she awaited her eyes to adjust, tugging at her leather jacket a little more to protect herself from the frozen temperatures of the room that kept the beer cold. The little set up that the leader of nerds had kitted out was rather impressive, though had Demetria found herself complimenting it, she may have boosted his ego and that was never a good idea. See, the second you gave a male reason to believe that he could do better than you, was when you lost him. And although in that moment, the brunette had no intentions of pursuing a romantic relationship, there was nothing wrong with a little flirting. Leonard did seem to be batting it back much like a tense game of table tennis. Autumnal hues watched as his figure gathered the specific beers they needed, fingertips roaming across bottles of liquor as though he was debating which ones made the cut and which ones would be saved for another occasion. Sneaking up behind him, the beauty found her own digits curving around his palm as her chin rest atop of his right shoulder –– allowing his fingers to stop playing their difficult game of ‘eeny meeny miny moe’, landing specifically on the one bottle of vodka that stood out from the rest. “How about that one?” Demetria whispered, knowing that the hot trail of breath that escaped from the confinements of her lips would most likely roll down the side of heck. Surely, that would be enough to cover him in goosebumps. See, the brunette was a SEDUCTRESS. She was somebody who knew exactly what she was doing and whilst she was not somebody for mindless one night stands, that didn’t mean that she couldn’t have her fun or attempt to put a hold on anybody she wanted. Though, as soon as she had implanted her little tease, the beauty found herself backing away –– hoisting her body to sit atop the waist-high refrigerator within the small room.

“Are you sure your muscles will be able to handle all of that?”

Cocking her head to one side, poking her tongue into the corner of her cheek, Demi allowed a smile to unveil the whites of her teeth –– once again, highlighting the cheeky attitude that she possessed, all whilst leaving her body language open for Leonard to make whatever move he felt was necessary. Perhaps, it was more of a test just to see what she could get away with… Demetria was in need of a friend who could make her feel relief and take away the stress from her degree, truth be told.

                    ❛ &. ┊ He wasn’t even quite sure whether he ought to rise his brows in apparent question at the way in which vowels rolled over her lips, daring him to inch a little closer to the idea of taking this... in a different direction than he had planned to -- or furrowing them at the suggestion that he’d find himself under the imminent threat of being overfucked if he just played his cards right. His popularity amongst his female peers was no secret, the looseness of his attitude towards casual hook-ups neither, but swayed underneath what could vaguely be interpreted as a compliment, the unexpected suggestion that that was all he’d wanted out of it when leaving the heart of the scene and settling next to her on the staircase. And eventually was thus the expression on features torn, brows portraying a funny little game of which part of his confusion to show first, until the curiosity dripping off her tongue allowed him to take at least part of the control over the situation back.

“ Yeah, yeah -- ” absentminded, at least a little, and only reluctantly came the grin from before crept back onto his features. “ But I don’t hang out with lit students often. ” Which certainly was one way of drawing a line between the both of them, hand wrapping round the door knob to the building they, unbeknownst to most of the staff within, regularly used as some form of storage room -- at least until eventually being capable of investing in something less sly.

And she could have left it at that; poor Leonard Richards contemplating whether he’d taken the right turn, made the intelligent one of any offered decisions. But hand crept round his shoulder and he felt the same electrifying energy jolting through his bones as he’d done when fingertips had curled round his knee, her breathe hot against his neck and terribly efficient in distracting him from the bottles of beer positioned in front of his feet. How about that one? Eyes cast their gaze onto the bottle in question but, really, he felt more at display than the bottle’s decoratively written label. And yet had her whisper an almost bewitching effect on his brain’s motor cortex, large palm gripping the bottle automatically, without thinking, and it was as if his neurons had decided to prove himself before his pride could offer its five pence on the decision when arms picked up three boxes of beer at once, head turning only partially to look over his shoulder --

                                        -- a terribly bad decision, really. He didn’t think she’d still stand so close.

                    ❛ &. ┊ “ My muscles can handle a lot more than that, bookworm. “ A threat, perhaps? A promise? But either way was the given statement no better decision than the sudden closure of distance between faces -- his voice certainly didn’t sound as unaffected by her advances as he wanted it to be.

[oxygemist]

❛ &. ┊ TABBART,  R.   /   @hrodohaide. *

Cheeks FLUSHED at the mere thought of being lifted up into his arms. She just hoped he didn’t NOTICEthat.

           “HOW WOULD YOU KNOW, THOUGH, IF YOU’RE             SO TALL? B… BESIDES. COULDN’T YOU JUST             REACH THE THING FOR ME, INSTEAD OF LIFTING             ME UP?”

Though, REALLY, she’d rather be lifted. She was just FAR too shy to admit that.

                    ❛ &. ┊ Oh, one could say much about the slightly odd masses that bustled around in chemistry laboratories -- even more so when pretending, wearing a smug smile at that, to be capable of raising future students’ interest in the sciences, but blind certainly wasn’t one of that. A grin, wide, completely and utterly genuine when brows rose sardonically and allowed an almost taunting expression. “ Where’d be the fun in that, nipper? Afraid I could toss you in the nearest bin? ” Not that he’d do it, realistically -- but was the rosy colour plastered all across embarrassed cheeks far too amusing to not be deepened.

[oxygemist]

@timebcmb-xx

[oxygemist]

timebcmb-xx.

Leonard was everything that every girl who existed dreamed of having. He was vivacious, comical and had this hypnotising glare within his sapphires that could have melted an iceberg – despite the colour of his hues being symbolic of frost. He was an admirable man; incredulously smart and still, liked amongst all. He was ambitious and held just the right amount of cockiness, yet completely and utterly endearing. She was surprised that they hadn’t met before… All whilst in the same instance, surprised that their paths had ever crossed. Science was an entirely different subject from literature and law, alike – yet here both bodies were, sat on the steps of the chemistry building sharing a beer and giving cheers to their college experiences. Valerie was out of the picture now; the topic of the redhead left far away in the distance with the rest of the dust… It was common knowledge around campus that the girl was willing to do anything for attention. Whilst Demetria was the one who suffered from narcissistic traits, she knew how to keep her cool – though it seemed as though some girls were far too willing to spread their legs.

A tilted head allowed her hazels to glimmer in his direction, hanging on to every playful word that left his tongue and spilled into the air above them – her lips turning upward towards the stars at his backhanded compliment. Sure, she could make a chemistry joke… And momentarily, the beauty found her hazels drifting up into the night time sky to try and fathom one, though soon enough she realised that Leonard was right. A small chuckle left the folds of her lips, hair dropping town to her chest as she briefly hung her head forward – the joyous giggles vibrating through her stomach and rumbling through her windpipe enough to prove that perhaps, Leonard had truly cheered her up. It seemed as though they were on a first name basis already. “I’ll take that… Though, I’m not sure you’d be able crack any Shakespeare puns. Those tend to be my favourite ice breaker amongst parties. I was just waiting for the right candidate to come along but you’ve ceased my opportunity seeing as you came swooning in with a beer.” As her words left her lips, she raised the brown-necked bottle as though to cheers to their mutual attempt of finding solace within one another, polishing off the bottle before Leonard had even reached the half way point. There was something deathly about their personalities combined – Demetria could just tell that they would get along like a house on fire. Two opposites, who seemingly were made to compliment the others personality.

Ears perked at his next set of words, eyebrows raising in amusement as she picked up on his attempt of flirting – even if it did completely obliterate her previous comment about him desperately wanting to come over and speak to her, though the response she was readying within her mind was interrupted by two out of breath students who had an URGENCY within their eyes. Something seemed to be wrong but of course, in true college student fashion – it was only a case of the beer supply running low. Resting her bottle down in unison with his, Demetria couldn’t help but curl her petals up at the endearing way in which he asked if she wanted to join him on his little adventure. Though harder liquor sounded far more inviting than any other offer he could have given. Placing her hand on his knee, fingertips delicately curving around his kneecap as nails lightly brushed against the denim of his jeans, her hazels intertwined with his own irises – relief tainting her tone as she let out a sigh. “I would love to help you restock the drinks and get my hands on a bottle of vodka. You know, I’ve gotta say – it’s the strangest date that I’ve been asked on but the invitation is appreciated.” As humour danced behind her pupils, the beauty gave his knee a playful squeeze before standing up and brushing herself down, then extending her palm to him as though to help him up too. “Come on, I’ve always wanted a partner in crime.”

                    ❛ &. ┊ It must have been a miracle, indeed, to have found a sun capable of outshining his own vibrant grin. Demetria did it easily, laugher bubbling from the small of a throat as if erupting from a fountain, and had it not been for the sheer focus on keeping the party alive, perhaps would have Leonard then found himself far too easily wrapped round a little finger. The joking banter was obvious, brows rising at the -- rightful -- accusation, albeit he raised his own beer nonetheless. “ Don’t judge me too harshly now, bookworm, at least I’ve seen David Tennant’s reinterpretation of Hamlet. Y’know, the,” a clearing of a throat, an almost mocking ruffling of feathers, “ slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles; and by opposing end them. To die, to sleep-- No more-- and by a sleep to say we end the heartache, and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to. ”

                                                       Cue a pause, a grin, a wink.

                    ❛ &. ┊ “ I’m shitting you, Dem. I did watch the movie -- but on a date, few years back. Thought reciting Hamlet could get me quicker to third base. ” And it had worked, the wildly amused glint in sapphire eyes was certainly not helpful in hiding that very detail. But most other works had dripped passively into one ear and out another; and his German heritage certainly had helped in furthering his disinterest in English literature -- and the forced education on Hoffman, Kästner, Brecht... but had there always been a far more development interest in the sciences. It was a miracle then, also, that he’d even remembered the lines. But to amuse a star of comparable lustre was reason enough to dig deeper and deeper into a mind until he’d made himself a fool.

Partner in crime, really; couldn’t have been a better fit. But what was left of a confident joker when fingertips snuck tightly round a knee was all the more impressive when the persistent grin on expressive lips attempted, subtly, to conceal the tensing of a jaw. If she were flirting, she’d already won -- and was there, undeniably, a split moment in which a beer-drenched mind considered taking the party elsewhere, but why bother? Demetria Rivers could have had anyone and he was... somewhat tight on a schedule. There surely was a reason why he had not sought out to replace his last relationship with another and instead remained single. His blossoming career put forth the decision between focusing on work or entertaining a girlfriend -- and he knew himself well enough to not even consider the latter.

And she, regardless of the cheeky attitude that dripped off coloured lips like dew from dawn-kissed leaves, didn’t appear so much like a quick little one-night stand. He’d hate to ruin whatever magical friendship was offering itself to develop further in a nurturing grasp. So would frame rise onto his feet, hand extending to help her get up, and eyes entirely radiant when tongue offered with twice the amount of cockiness that he was given, “ Then get your pretty bum up, partner. I certainly can’t carry both you and the beer. ”

[oxygemist]

[ open ] your muse opening a door for mine . // from leo, probably calls her princess in the meantime lbr

Demetria had always needed a friend. Being a narcissist was all well and good until you realised that people only became friends with you to match the level of POWER that existed within your very hands… Throughout her life, the beauty had found herself searching for somebody who truly liked her for who she was. Girls like the brunette had strong personalities; they overshadowed many other people – a band of STARS, they did things that suited only suited their needs – how S E L F I S H, but more importantly they suffered an immeasurable amount of insecurity – something that was a SECRET. Ever since beginning college and exploring her options in getting to know other people, the beauty found solace in an unlikely companion – Leonard Richards. Two incredibly different personalities, that seemed to compliment one another’s beautifully. It was like yin and yang; two polar opposites balancing one another out and creating some ironic sense of harmony and peace, despite deviously bouncing off of one another. Whilst Leo was older and on his way to becoming a teacher himself, Demi was still very much new to college – attempting to figure out just what it was she wanted to do with the rest of her life, though how could she be expected to do that when her life had barely just begun?

Roaming through the corridors with her partner in crime, Demetria clung her books to her chest tightly – anything and everything that Kua had suggested to keep herself afloat, hardback cases remaining close to her heart. The conversation between herself and Leonard flowed so effortlessly; it was typically about what had happened to them the day before or where they were headed to this weekend. They also shared their interests as to what films they were both going to watch together, what takeout place they were ordering from, who they were having trouble with… Demi and Leo had grown undeniably close that it was UNLIKELY to see them separately. Though with knowing one another so well, they knew how to push each other’s buttons and how to uplift one another too. One thing they always seemed to do, despite it being harmless was FLIRT. As his burly palm swung the door open, her petite frame following through the hallway without even having to stop, the beauty turned her head over her shoulder before batting her lashes in his direction.

“I would say thank you, but I know you only did it because you want to see my ASS. I’ll wear my tight shorts to movie night – just to keep you satisfied. Pink or black?”

ASK MEMES | ALWAYS ACCEPTING.

[oxygemist]

timebcmb-xx.

Stars resided inside of hazel orbs – their twinkling reflecting against the moonlight as a small grin raised to the crimson lips of the dainty brunette. The statement that had unfolded from the lips of Leonard was enough to elicit a vibration within her chest, a girlish giggle rolling off of her tongue and spilling into the night time air. It was true, a bad influence would have brought cheap vodka ( something she may have preferred ), though the thought was there. Holding the carved glass to her ribcage safely, berry petals parted to respond but she soon found herself INTERRUPTED by the floods of men pouring from the doors to the science building. She tucked herself in against the wall, bellows of laughter echoing throughout the square of campus – the groups who had decided to part ways and head to the local clubs vanishing off into the distance. Demetria removed herself from the brick of the wall, allowing her heel clad ankles to carry her down a step or two – planting her denim clothed backside to the cold stone steps, chocolate waves flicking over her shoulder as lengthy lashes battered in his direction to put forward a warm welcome in him joining her. “This is true – although vodka sets me off the rails… Just a few glasses and I’d probably be flirting already.” Allowing her lower lip to sit between two rows of teeth, the beauty allowed her head to collapse to one side – leaning on a balled fist where her elbow rested comfortably atop of her thighs. Leonard was somebody that most of the other students ASPIRED to be like; he was witty, confident, charming and above all, he was kind hearted. On the scale, they were two incredibly different people though their meeting was proving that perhaps they had a similar sense of humour – utterances batting off of their tongues like a ping pong match, waiting to see who would slip up first. She listened to him carefully, the corners of her lips curving upward as viridescents cast themselves upon his form… He was a party boy, that was for sure – and here he was, causing some fire to ignite within her stomach, already curing her bad mood.

“I can tell you now, I have no criticism… Your parties are always fun. I’d just maybe invite less of those mopey literature students who are currently switching subjects – they tend to DULL the atmosphere down slightly.”

Of course, she was referencing herself – though Leonard knew that… Seeing as he knew who she was, he obviously would have been able to tell that it was a RARITY the beauty did dull down the situation. As she had confessed previously, she was typically the life and soul – the one encouraging people to do bad things and setting others up in pairings to playfully lock them in the chemistry lab. She wasn’t sure what it was but at Leonard’s parties – everybody came together, no matter what major you were taking… Everybody united and that was something admired the male for. Taking a hefty gulp of her beer, Demetria let a sigh of content escape from the cherry folds of her mouth – tongue twisting and dancing over her upper lip. There was something soothing about the fact that the outside was so tranquil, despite the pounding noise from inside – so peaceful… It was as though she briefly held her own sense of serenity and for a moment, she was glad that it was him by her side. There was no flamboyant Valerie, attempting to brag about all of the men she had lured in an attempt to show Demetria up ( which never went to plan ). It was just him and her; two beings who did not need to do the soul searching that most other undergraduates did. No – they already knew themselves and were comfortable living in their own skin.

“Anyway – you never told me why you WERE sneaking out of your own party. Did you see me here? You were DYING to come and talk to me, weren’t you?”

❛ &. ┊ An exhale of coarse sigh when jeans-clad legs followed suit and his silhouette made itself comfortable next to a personified astral phenomenon – at least would no one disagree the unusual capability of Demetria Rivers to take away another one’s breath, even less so his fellow chemistry students which… if he were honest, he found ridiculous at best and entirely tasteless when paid closer attention to. “ Heard about it, ” muttered he and insinuated the intonation of his voice a slight chuckle roaring in the depths of his throat, but was the utterance not particularly meant to sound much insulting, regardless how it were perceived. 

Valerie’s bragging, no-one was exempt of and the childish search for attention through meaningless make-out sessions was not an entirely impersonal subject, although he’d never made much of a scene out of that one time where he, too, had found himself in her rapacious grasps. Hadn’t denied it, either – and perhaps had it been his nonchalance that urged the conversation to ebb away quickly. Luring him into a one-night stand wasn’t a particularly easy task to achieve, though nonetheless unimpressive and so brought the imminent threat of steering the discussion with Demetria in a… particularly meaningful direction no other reaction than an upward curvature of golden brows, long eyelashes quivering when the all too familiar laughter lines of Leonard Richards’ reappeared on sun-bathed features. “ But I didn’t come all the way outside to pick someone up. ”

A grin, replaced only when tongue darted out to wet a lower lip and a gaze tore away from Demetria’s countenance to wander across the buildings sprouting at campus like flowers on a field. And was she right, in a way – each waited, even if subconsciously so, for the other to make a mistake and lose the round of playful banter. Though in what way who would slip up, remained an unsolved mystery and rose thus rather skillfully the subliminal anticipation that made the tranquillity of the night outside the roaring masses particularly enticing. Either that or Demetria’s willingness to play the innocent lamb and persuade his attention to fall back onto devilish features, incapable to free themselves from their allure without the explicit wish of hers for them to do so – and that was quite a talent, wasn’t it. Self-abasement elicited a short burst of laughter, breathed, subtle, yet all the more genuine than one would think it to be. “ You couldn’t dull the atmosphere if you tried and failed to make a chemistry joke, Dem. ” A compliment, certainly so, and was it exactly what she had aimed for – or so he believed. 

❛ &. ┊ “ But don’t flatter yourself too much. The only thing I’m dying to get over and done with is the current lab project that quite frankly doesn’t seem to end. ” A joke and… not entirely the whole truth, but was the almost unintentionally flirtatious insult interrupted by his own name being shouted out the entrance of the main building and eyes travelled away from his all too challenging counterpart to see an emerging figure hurrying to reach the two outsiders for consultation. Boots clacked against the concrete ground before the silhouette of a physics student crouched down momentarily to grab his attention. “ We’re running out of beer and Nick told me you had the keys to the basement where we store some more cartons. ” A nod on his behalf, his own bottle finding a neat place to settle at on the cool surface of the steps before the crooked grin of his returned as bright eyes drew their gaze back at the terribly captivating features of his company. “ You wanna help me restock the drinks? I’m pretty sure we’re still storing some harder liquor down there that the lecturers don’t know of. ”

[oxygemist]

©

[oxygemist]

@timebcmb-xx ☀️☀️☀️

Hunter Parrish at the BUILD Series talking about Good Grief

[oxygemist]

timebcmb-xx.

Parties – the places where Demi often flourished, floating around like a social butterfly and spreading her name around like a bad cold. It was no secret that the beauty had made herself known around campus… How could she not? She was the girl known with fireworks in her eyes at every challenge she combatted. She was the girl known for her eternal flame, forever burning through wooden logs in a way that kept crowds warm. She was the girl known for her courage, ambition, attitude and most importantly, her entire aura. Demetria Rivers was somebody known by everybody, which only fed her narcissism further – and yet, here she was avoiding any conversation, sat in the DEAFENING silence that occupied her mind. Autumnal hues glazed over her manicured nails, trying to distract herself from the terrors that clouded her mind – desperately trying to shake the feeling that although she had a number of people dancing around the palm of her hand, there was truly nobody that she connected with. Boys came and went, girls were quick to turn around and act on their impulse to suit their own needs… Truth be told, Demetria was not in the party mood – though her spirits were soon to be uplifted.

At the sound of a cough, hazels were lifted up to the silhouette appearing in front of the moon – the glow around his golden locks highlighting amongst the stars as the distanced sounds of cheering echo throughout the night time stillness. Offering a half smile, her lips mirroring the crescent that lit up the front lawn of the building, Demetria extended her palm to accept the peace offering he brought. “Just got a lot of things on my mind – that’s all. I promise I’m not always this boring. Usually I’d be doing keg stands or dancing on the tables but… I guess I’m in need of a BAD influence and here he has arrived – with beer.” Words that had begun dreary had ended on a high note, the brown neck of the bottle lifting into the air before two plump cherries wrapped their way around the rim, taking a few hefty gulps. Leonard wasn’t somebody that had gone unnoticed by Demetria. No – she had noticed those mesmerising sapphires from across the bars in certain student pubs. They had been introduced at other parties and social events but had never come face to face, completely alone. “Screw Valerie – she’s been getting on my nerves lately. Hey – you can’t exactly come out here and call me out when you’re ditching your own party… Where exactly is the host disappearing to?”

❛ &. ┊ The publicity of an identity was certainly a trait shared, though was Leonard much rather known for his all-encompassing friendliness and authenticity; the young scientists-to-be, he tutored, including unpaid sessions when need to be. Every year anew he organised informational evenings for high-schoolers interested in chemistry – especially girls, together with a small group of women who all approached a degree in natural science. He helped out in shelters, organised small charity events, was active in politics on and off campus – Leonard Richards, essentially, received the title of best teacher-to-be before he even had finished graduating. And it showed; all knew him from somewhere, felt comfortable approaching him with any and all concerns, and considered him a friend. There were, at last, none that genuinely disliked him and why should they? Even with his exes he remained on friendly terms. There was naught about Leonard Richards that wasn’t entirely lovable. From the golden curls of vibrant hair over the laughter lines round almond-shaped eyes to the cozy jumpers that he offered as soon as someone on a party he had organised got entirely wasted, was he the absolute opposite of the cool, unapproachable guy – and that was, essentially, what made him that much cooler. 

She, on the other hand, elicited an interpretation that verged on artistic; from the thoroughly controlled fashion in which the intonation of her voice was meant to sound natural, to the unnecessary justification of her solitude and the curious description of him, appeared she to be more of an actor – and quite a talented one at that. A tongue darted out to wet beer-tinted lips when the bottle whose neck had found its way up to his own mouth was brought down again, and parted then the mouth into a toothy grin; quite a beaming one and accompanying the soft shake of a head. “ A bad influence would have brought you cheap vodka, not craft beer. ” Or at least a cocktail, but took he no genuine offense; he’d seen her getting drunk on parties often enough, knew that the promises tumbling over parted lips were not empty, and was it more than likely that somewhere in the back of her wardrobe, she’d find a jumper of his – Valerie, at least, had that terrible habit of taking his shirts whenever she or one of her friends got cold. And he didn’t mind it, not much. Sooner or later, he always got them back but helped it, most certainly, to keep his jumpers where they belonged when she was around – on himself. 

❛ &. ┊ So leant he back, exhaled a warm breath into the chilly air, “ After organising a few parties, you learn that people separating themselves from the masses either can give constructive criticism for the next happening or need a beer. ” A widening of his already vibrant grin. “ Mostly, it’s the latter. ”

[oxygemist]

❛ &. ┊ The air reeks of burned wood and beer; a terrible combination that is only made up for by the grilled seitan burgers that empty as soon as they are served; masses of students gather round the grill that they’ve positioned in a stony circle to give it somewhat of a wild atmosphere. A fireplace is all nice and wonderful, but comes it not close to the dishes that each and everyone brings to share with all other guests. Music blasts from the inside of the chemistry building, hooligans shouting until told to shut up; and it’s a hit, always is. For the past few years has he done naught else than to organise extracurricular activities and plan social events -- so is it almost insulting to find her sitting outside, completely and entirely separated from the happenings on campus. Throat clears, announces his appearing, and he offers her a bottle of beer that he opens, swiftly, with the side of his key. “ You don’t seem to enjoy the party very much, ” an obvious observation or so he finds, figure settling against the banister rail with his own bottle of beer held comfortably between his palms. The smile he wears is genuine, though not excessive. “ Thought you’d be hanging out with Valerie. ”

@timebcmb-xx. / demetria.

[oxygemist]

@timebcmb-xx.