#{ ☾✩ 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 ↬ avery bloom }

[ofchrysoprase]

"I think you're probably right. Maxxie doesn't even really hug me anymore, he probably thinks I'm too old." Cindy laughed, though it was a bit painful to think about how they had grown apart, despite her own efforts to stay close. She could have been studying at a better university, far away from Shrike Heights where nowhere seemed to be safe. Then again, she would most likely have come back eventually, not feeling comfortable with leaving her parents all by themselves in a town plagued by killers. She could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I, uh... I do really like boys." She muttered, averting her eyes. It was a bit of an understatement - while she tried to carry herself as mature and independent, her poster covered walls at home did not represent that side of her.

"You think you could do that? Be my wingwoman?" It was no secret that Cindy was hopeless when it came to flirting or dating. In fact, she had no idea where to start. It was hard to imagine Avery as someone who thought nobody was looking at her, but she was probably right. Perhaps most people struggled to see themselves as good enough for someone else to notice, no matter how much they wanted it. "Like... What if they say no?"

"See you sound like you just need a good hug from someone who isn't family," she teased but her expression softened when she considered how serious Cindy was as she shared her experience. As much of a cynic as Avery was, she wasn't going to rain on Cindy's parade or tell her how to feel about something. If she wanted to believe in the magic of romance who was Avery to tell her differently? Still, Avery hoped that Cindy would actually find someone and not have to experience just how disappointing men could be. Relationships in general were disappointing, even without men. "You were just so..zoned in on the dudes, I get it. It happens. To the best of us," she teased and tried not to make too much of it. She knew that Cindy had meant well despite the way it came off. But it mostly made Avery laugh. And just showed how much views on relationships varied from person to person.

"Or maybe you don't give yourself enough credit. I mean I used to think no one was checking me out but that's because I wasn't actually looking up," she joked but it was true. As self deprecating as Avery was, she knew she was attractive and worth spending time with. So she wasn't exactly surprised when people hit on her but it had taken her a long while to notice that anyone would. "It doesn't hurt to ask someone out too. Gender norms are kind of silly. And waiting around for a boy to notice anything is like asking for rain in a sixty year drought, you know? You just gotta get out there. I'd happily be your wingwoman. As much as I complain, I make a good one."

[ofchrysoprase]

@survibers

Cindy could feel her cheeks heating up. "It feels a bit weird to think about being proposed to, I've never ever had a boyfriend." She admitted, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear, though her headband already kept most of it out of her face. Though she was the type of girl who should have been dreaming of her wedding from a very young age, most of her childhood had revolved around her family instead. She couldn't blame Maxxie for being such a big center of attention, both to herself and her parents, but it did mean she'd had to grow up faster than she perhaps would have wanted for herself and learned to put her own dreams and desires on hold. While she had been in college in California, it had been the first time she'd ever had time to start figuring out what she wanted for herself. Even though her decision to study medicine had come from her desire to help her brother, it was something she felt she was good at, as well as something she could do to show her parents how much she could do.

This time had been very short lived, unfortunately, as Maxxie had brought her back to Shrike once more.

"My favorite color? I just like white." She admitted a little sheepishly. Though she sometimes tried to add color to her wardrobe, a lot of her clothing was white, black or grey. She found it easier to mix and match that way and it looked professional when she was working at the clinic.

Cindy put in her order and then stepped to the side so Avery could do the same. "A hot lunch date?" She asked with wide eyes, as soon as they had moved aside to wait for their orders. "But how can it be a date? There's no boys."

"I mean it should be romantic. I like to think it exists somewhere, you know? I mean it's what they write all the songs about so someone has to be out there actually being romantic and in love. I just think it's more rare than people think. For things to be genuine, you know? Plus I know that if someone is in love with you they would propose in the most romantic way. At least they should or they'll have to deal with me," she teased. Avery was a bit of a contradiction in that way though. For all the ways she didn't want shit for herself, especially the ways she viewed loved for herself; she believed in it for her friends. She wanted them to be happy, to have someone or multiple someone's if that was what they wanted. As long as the people they were in relationship with knew how lucky they were and treated them as such. Avery just didn't see it for herself, convinced she was hard wired to be on her own and as distant from romantic feelings as possible.

As they got in line, Avery thought over Cindy's words and her gears were already turning. "Earrings and necklaces are good picks. And I mean there are bracelets that are a big more snug or something fabric like that won't clink against stuff. Remind me of your favorite color again?" It was a no brainer that Avery would just have to be the first person to buy Cindy some jewelry so she could truly enjoy it and get what she deserved. And Avery sensed it would be easy to find something that would fit their friends style. As they stepped forward, Avery let Cindy order first before placing her own and then stepped to the side to wait. "Well I'm glad that even though I had to listen to miserable men I still get to have a hot lunch date with you. I think that makes this day a win."

[ofchrysoprase]

"But boyfriends are, you know, sweet and tall and they probably give way better hugs than my brother." Cindy argued with a small pout, not convinced by Avery's observations. While she had never had a boyfriend, she had happily watched and rewatched tons of romantic movies. While she wasn't naive enough to think that it was the exact same as reality, she couldn't help but dream of something similar to the relationships she had seen on screen.

She could feel her cheeks growing hotter when she realized how stupid her question had been. "Right, sorry, I sort of, you know..." Forgot? Would that sound self centered? Just because she liked boys didn't mean everyone did. Cindy knew she should know better and yet she had allowed herself to blurt out something so embarrassing. "I was thinking about who I would go on a date with, I suppose." She let out an awkward laugh, as she realized there was no redeeming herself for the comment.

As they sat back down, Cindy briefly just fumbled with one of her sleeves, sincerely hoping she hadn't jeopardized their friendship by being ignorant. "I don't know, I've never really had boys interested in me. I used to think they were, you know, all the time. But I was always too nervous to ask anyone out and I think maybe they were just nice to me because they were Maxxie's friends."

"I mean boyfriends aren't all that great. They're kind of a let down but I suppose they aren't all terrible," Avery replied with a shrug. As much as she tried not to be a cynic, her life experience didn't really allow for her to be anything but. Or at least she had a hard time finding the positive in any of it. At least in a way that actually left her affected and changed. "White, okay, got it," Avery said with a nod and tapped the side of her head. She was sure she could find something that fit her. Avery's eyes widened and she had to let out a loud laugh before settling herself. "Very easily actually. I've actually been on a lot of dates with non boys, more non boys that boys actually. Dates can happen whenever you want if enough people are interested in it." Avery was hoping she sounded sincere and understanding, finding Cindy's reaction funny in an endearing way. "But this is a friendship date, don't worry." She held up her hands to assure her, still laughing lightly as they got their food and sat. "But if a date with a boy is something you'd like I'm sure we can make that happen."

[ofchrysoprase]

Cindy hadn't really expected company during her long awaited lunch break, but as soon as her frazzled brain recognized the other woman as Avery, the situation felt a little less awful. Normally the girl used her lunch break to get in some extra studying, but it seemed like there was going to be none of that today and somehow she found herself not minding it whatsoever. Truth was, Cindy craved social interaction far more than she wanted to admit. In fact, she was a very social person, always running around to try and be of help to people. And yet, she was a very lonely person, as most of her time went into school and work. Having Avery around to break that cycle, even if it was to go on a tangent about marriage, was nothing short of a blessing, really.

She sat herself up a little straighter, propping her chin up onto her hand as she listened with interest, a small smile pulling at her lips in selfish amusement. "It does sound pretty depressing. Do you think those guys are being pressured into proposing by their girlfriends? Or is it pressure put on them by their friends or society? Maybe they just feel really awkward buying jewelry? Or they're spending most of their savings and they're kind of regretting it, but they really want to get the prettiest ring, you know?" She shrugged, always the hopeless romantic, even though she had never been in a relationship herself. That had never stopped her from fantasizing about what it would be like, however. Yes, Cindy Moon most definitely loved the idea of romance, relationships and marriage. And she found it hard to imagine anyone hating it.

"I will take you up on that offer, though. I have completely forgotten to eat today." She admitted, feeling the usual jitteriness in her body from the vast amounts of coffee she had consumed to stay awake and alert. "Though I could also use the distraction of imagining teens buying something nice for their crush; that sounds really nice. I've never been brave enough to do that. What are you having? I'm really craving Thai for some reason."

Location: Julio's Bar or the Food Court

Tagging: @shrikestart

"God, marriage is so overrated. I mean at first I thought it was slightly romantic but now that I see the type of people who buy expensive engagement rings? Consider me anti-marriage." She let out a sigh as she took a seat across from someone without even checking to see if she knew them. She was a professional at starting up conversations with anyone and everyone. It was usually a 50/50 chance of whether they got up and left or not but she had met a lot of people that way. It was what made her broadcasting job worthwhile in the long run. It also made for less time being in her own head which was always a touch and go option.

"Like I kid you not, at least three guys came in today looking like they were the most miserable guys in the world buying engagement rings. I mean imagine thinking you've found the love of your life and the thought of marrying you makes them actually look like they're sick? I would rather be alone forever. The only redeeming moment is when the most gorgeous older woman you've ever seen comes in and buys herself jewelry. Or nervous teens with crumpled up dollars buying something for their new crush. That's sweet. But marriage? Sounds like it sucks. Anyway, thank you for letting me talk your ear off. Can I buy you something to make up for having to listen to my rant? I really just needed to let that out."

[ofchrysoprase]

Cindy listened as Avery spoke. Part of her still wanted to disagree, but she knew she hadn't been there to see the men for herself and knew that meant she probably didn't know better than her friend. After all, she studied medicine and not psychology; she couldn't confirm or deny that the other woman was maybe just being biased because of her own experiences with relationships. And Cindy had never been in one to begin with. She felt lucky that her parents were close and never seemed to fight over something super serious. The only time where she had worried about their marriage was when Maxxie was in and out of hospitals - even at her young age, Cindy had been able to see how much stress it put on her parents. Perhaps that was when she had promised herself that she was going to grow up to find a cure.

"I can definitely see it be pressure from parents. Maybe even the girlfriends' parents, who want to see if he's really serious about the relationship. I think it's wrong to propose when you're not ready, though." Cindy frowned and briefly chewed on the end of her already rather chewed up pencil that she had been using to scribble notes in her textbook. "It's supposed to be romantic. Or at least that's what I want it to be like, once someone wants to, you know, propose to me." The thought was almost ridiculous, but she could at least dream about it. When the other agreed on the choice of food, she hastily got up and tossed her books and notes into her bag so she should take it with her. Most people would probably leave their things on the table, but her notes were far too precious to leave out like that.

"I don't think they're weird compliments," She replied, a blush rising to her cheeks at the initial question. "But I haven't had anyone buy me jewelry, no. I just kind of grew up being the little sister and I think that made guys feel weird about, you know, asking me out and stuff? But I've never had a boyfriend or a date or anything." She shrugged, though it wasn't something she could just shake off, as it consumed a lot of her thoughts. All the time. "I like earrings or maybe a necklace. Bracelets are pretty but not very practical when writing essays or doing chores, so I can never wear them too long."

"I think it's pressure from all angles, probably. Especially society, even worse if a woman is pressuring her boyfriend because I mean...I'd hate to be that desperate. But men are oblivious so I totally get it at the same time. Okay that last one you got me on, maybe. But I doubt it, the guys haven't struck me as the 'im spending too much money' type. Probably more of the 'i could be spending this on something for myself type' but then again, that might just help my argument, I could be really wrong," she admitted but only to Cindy since they were actually friends and Avery didn't want to come off as a total cynic. She didn't think she was but more and more it was feeling like she was growing into resentment and grumpiness and she kind of hated it. "Either way more than one depressed dude was enough for me. But I'm also bias, I've always been surrounded by shitty marriages so there hasn't been much to give me hope." Avery shrugged like it was nothing even if the main shitty relationship was her own parents who were still married all of this time. Every anniversary made Avery want to poke her eyes out but year after year she still had to join her family for the celebration as if they didn't all know the truth.

"Well then consider me your reminder, that's basically why I'm here. To make sure you're getting a good meal and my lovely company, obviously," she said with a smirk but was grateful that she hadn't driven Cindy away with her rambling. "No? Well maybe you should. Anyone would be lucky to be your crush and you know, I have an employee discount and I have zero crushes so my discount is your discount. It's super cute and I always give them a deal unless my boss is there. He's a bit of a pain but we all know that story. Thai? I can do Thai for sure. I could use something with a little kick to help with my sinuses, my allergies are taking on a life of their own these days, I swear." Avery got to her feet so they could get in line together, already pulling her wallet out of her purse. "Have you ever had someone buy you jewelry? What would be your ideal piece? A ring? A bracelet? You do have great wrists but you also have an amazing necklace for a big pendant piece. Are those weird compliments to give? I mean them in a very great way. Okay I'm shutting up now."