#f2f: jordan.

[wanderinglcst]

@ghostsbrokenbyfairytales

Joey stood on the purpose built stage, holding the script and looking down at Jordan who seemed to be doing his own thing down there near the chairs so he called over. "Are we doing this or not?" He smiled and put a hand on his hip.

[cairhienin]

Get to know me!

Thanks @wheelwheelwheel 🫶🏽

Three ships: Moiraine/Siuan (Wheel of Time), Lottie/Nat (Yellowjackets), Kevin/Nora (The Leftovers)

First ever ship: oh god it was probably Rachel/Quinn (Glee)

Last song: F2F by SZA

Last movie: The Little Mermaid

Currently reading: Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

Currently consuming: water

Currently craving: scallion pancake

Tagging @ephemeral-winter @amyrlinegwene @rogue-rook @chasingfictions and anyone else who wants to! (no pressure 🤪)

[sinceileftyoublog]

SZA Album Review: SOS

(Top Dawg Entertainment/RCA)

BY JORDAN MAINZER

On “Nobody Gets Me”, a song in the middle of SZA’s much anticipated second album SOS, she reveals a failed engagement, a man that left her when she was on the road due to his own insecurities. It’s the type of heartbreak that spawns entire records--and maybe it did, here--but she spends more time in the details, setting the scene than delving into the ins and outs of her relationship. “You were balls-deep, now we beefin’ / Had me butt-naked at the MGM / So wasted, screamin’, ‘Fuck that’ / Blurry now but I meant it then / Hurry now, baby, stick it in / ‘Fore the memories get to kickin’ in,” she sings, her carnal humor as blunt as it is sardonic. In the build up to the release of SOS, during an interview with HOT 97, she remarked she wants it to be understood from the album that, simply, she’s pissed. Pissed at specific men, yes, but also at men in general, at the music industry, at the collective forces that try to bring her down. SOS is a distress signal. It’s no coincidence its opening track begins with that specific Morse code while built around a sample of the Gabriel Hardeman Delegation’s gospel song “Until I Found the Lord (My Soul Couldn’t Rest)”. That is, in looking back at specific moments, SZA’s pleading with herself to overcome.

SZA heals by evaluating past versions of herself and sometimes comparing herself to various revenge-takers throughout culture. “Low” builds on her feature last year on Summer Walker’s “No Love”, reinforcing her sole interest in the physical side of a relationship, her steadfastness mirrored in the song’s dark, forceful trap beat. On “Kill Bill”, she likens herself to the title villain of the Quentin Tarantino films of the same name. “I might kill my ex,” she casually admits, before clarifying, “I still love him, though / Rather be in jail than alone.” (Producer Rob Bisel and Carter Lang’s guitar lines even echo the melody of “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”, a song whose Nancy Sinatra version is famously used in the opening credits of Kill Bill: Volume 1.) SZA identifies with the protagonist of Gone Girl. And to be fair, on “Snooze”, she throws some sympathy the other way, suggesting that when she’s infatuated with someone so much, they could be a murderer and she wouldn’t care--only as long as they were infatuated with her, too. 

Sure, there are moments of bleakness on SOS, like on “Used”, where SZA shares she’s essentially used to feeling used, the amount of death she’s experienced in her personal life and witnessed along with the world making her numb to exploitation. When she sings, “My pussy precedes me,” on “Blind”, it’s a flex, but it’s also delivered with a sigh, as if this is all that there is. But the more she lets her voice soar, the closer she gets to self-acceptance, if not self-actualization. She bends around the skitter of the hi hats and the whirring synths on the subtly thrilling “Notice Me”. Her flow is better than it’s ever been on “Blind”; the pitch-shifted melisma of the title in the chorus sounds like she’s traversing the page as well as the scales, showing what she can be in one fell swoop. Most impressive is how effortlessly SZA fronts rock instrumentals, whether the pop punk bursts of “F2F” or the “Fade Into You”-esque strumming of “Nobody Gets Me”.

When SZA brags, it’s sometimes sandwiched between bouts of insecurity, and both sides of her internal monologue are all the more powerful because of it. “Nobody Gets Me” and the finger-snapped “Special” are buoyed by the “I might steal your girl” confidence of “Conceited” and it’s refrain of “I’m bettin’ on me”. “Far” samples words from Sadhguru, a famous yogi she met, saying, “If nobody wants you, you’re free”, as if SZA is rising to the top alone. What follows, though, is a broadcast dialogue over whether that very mode of thought is even worth it. Ultimately, it’s the words of folks since departed that ring truest. Her late grandmother Norma Rowe introduces “Open Arms” with, “When you do your best...that’s all you can do,” a breakthrough that allows SZA to realize “I’m the only one that’s holdin’ me down”. And then there’s album closer “Forgiveless”, which features samples of “The Stomp” by Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Bjork’s “Hidden Place”, songs by two of the most iconoclastic figures of the 90s and early 2000s with whom SZA likely feels a kinship. “I don’t mind burnin’ bridges,” SZA declares. ODB’s closing words profess love for everyone. SZA has that love to give, but on SOS, she’s unafraid to let you know when you’re impeding her ability to love herself.

[highpony-betty]

[Backdated a year ago. Here for my own reference]

F2F: The Unknown In The Known

Betty: Morning, Manny.

Manny: This one’s all you, Cooper.

Betty: And yet I don’t like the sound of that

Manny: Solerno is back.

Betty: Call him by his moniker

Manny: It’s hard to be scared of Mr Nice Guy

Betty: Exactly. Bad guys don’t deserve cool nicknames.

Manny: Whatever you call him, he has returned and is overachieving

Betty: He’s in jail.

Manny: His apprentice, then.

Betty: Or the real guy is still out there and Solerno is the fall guy. Two this time?

Manny: Yes

Betty: I wrote my prediction of that in a report a week ago. I told them he’d go after a pair next, and to put their protection towards potential victims who came with a partner. A sibling, boyfriends, teammates. *sighs* Who’d he get this time?

Manny: Kaylee and Ri-

Betty: The Pact sisters. Why do we do reports if they won’t do what we say?

Manny: I’ve told you before that you’re a field agent. If you want someone to listen, become an analyst.

Betty: I do both, I’m two hires for the price of one. Okay *points a remote at the screen* Kaylee was 19 and had custody of her 16 year old sister, Riley. They were on the list of suspects because of vicinity and social media profile types.

Manny: And your gut

Betty: Yes, but that’s tacky.

Manny: Wanna guess who Riley had as a science teacher?

Betty: Mr. Liam Syng?

Manny: That’s the one.

Betty: I didn’t pick up anything in his interview

Manny: Best not to bring him in again. He’s too hot right now.

Betty: Well what if he got a new student?

Manny: You want to go undercover as a high schooler?

Betty: Not me, you idiot. We’ve gotta have some informant or intern or whatever who can do what I did before I was an agent.

Manny: Aniyah. She’s on assignment. If not you, we’re stuck with Chris.

Betty: His immaturity would help sell it but he won’t be able to help standing out. What about Jenna?

Manny: She’s pretty green.

Betty: We could talk her through it.

Manny: Or focus on a different piece of the puzzle. Riley and the last victim Hanah went to the same school- it’s not a surprise that they had the same teacher.

Betty: Got any other leads?

Manny: Possibly. Hear me out.

Betty: *raises brows*

Manny: I got cell phone records. Hanah and Kaylee’s cell phones were both at a bar on Jacob Street. Different months.

Betty: So they had fake IDs.

Manny: Not that I can find. What I did figure out is that Kaylee went on a Tuesday night and Hanah went on a Thursday night. Karaoke nights. The bar is open to anyone 16 and up.

Betty: So this guy is trolling karaoke night?

Manny: Could be another thing that’s just a likely story because they live in the same area.

Betty: Their social media showed they both liked performing. What about the girl before Hanah? The one done by the local cops..Natalie? And before her was Julia?

Manny: We don’t have clearance to investigate-

Betty: It’s our case now.

Manny: Our case was Solerno. He’s in jail.

Betty: Oh who cares?

Manny: Im paid to care.

Betty: Im not. *sits at a computer* Your code isn’t working.

Manny: Why do you know-

Betty: What’s the code this thing is looking for?

Manny: Do you want to get fired?

Betty: I wouldn’t get fired. *rolls eyes* I’ll do it myself then.

Manny: You can’t build a profile from scratch off of nothing.

Betty: Take this as a sign that you totally need a young partner like me. I don’t have to build a profile off of nothing. She’s a teenager, she has profiles online for anyone to see.

Manny: How will you know their last names?

Betty: *typing* I remember things. Julia Haley and Natalie Kirsten. They both had last names that are typically first names, just like Hanah Jordan. It’s probably why the Pact sisters weren’t seen as a valid next target. He strayed from his pattern.

Manny: Unless it wasn’t a pattern.

Betty: Julia auditioned for a singing competition. *plays video* She’s good, too. Natalie played violin and was starting the guitar. Does the bar the other two were at have open mic nights?

Manny: Hang on. *types* Yes, every other Wednesday. But Natalie and Julia didn’t go to the high school that the other three went to.

Betty: The only things they all have in common is sex, age range, slim body type, and that they’re musically inclined. It’s not enough to predict the next target.

Manny: You predicted the Pacts.

Betty: My list had 31 people on it.

Manny: Then do that again.

Betty: He’s changed his style. Security footage?

Manny: Taken out with a laser pointer. Same as Natalie, Julia, and Hanah.

Betty: Calling card?

Manny: Bows around their necks. The first two had one kind, the third had something else, and these last two had something else.

Betty: Physical evidence?

Manny: Partial print on Kaylee’s clothing.

Betty: It’s on purpose. Next he’ll leave something. Something of more substance.

Manny: But still not completely useful. Like a hair without a rootball.

Betty: Can we find out if the first two went to that bar?

Manny: They went to a different bar, but it’s the same concept.

Betty: Distance from Julia and Natalie’s school to Hanah and Riley’s school?

Manny: *clicking keys* 7.7 miles.

Betty: I think the key lies with Hanah. The first two were the same, the last two were the same. Hanah was a transition. His next move is either to continue with what he did with the Pacts since its what the transition led to, or he’ll transition again. What evidence is there that this is the real guy? It could be a copy cat. Is it just the ribbon and random adoration for thin musical babes?

Manny: The original Mr. Nice Guy that you bested is in jail. But I was never fully convinced he was the real culprit. Involved, sure. He led the first two to their deaths. But the killings continued, with the same specs. He wants us to know we got it wrong.

Betty: I still think this guy is not unlike the guy in jail. Jail guy was the real guy’s mask. Not exactly projected out there, but just hidden enough to make us feel like he was the real thing. But the one thing this guy has is a need for attention. If he has nothing to do with the fall guy, he doesn’t get attention.

Manny: Possibly. I propose we change his name though. Ribbon Bro, maybe.

Betty: Hmm..moniker accepted.

Brian: Catch me up.

Manny: Mr Nice Guy is the dude in jail. The real killer is now Ribbon Bro.

Brian: Good to know.

Manny: Cooper’s going undercover.

Betty: No Im not.

Manny: Not at the high school. At a karaoke bar. Specifically, one that is within a few miles of the one Hanah and Kaylee went to. He’ll either repeat the 7.7, double it, or cut it in half. Im going with the latter.

Betty: So you’d like me to make a night of singing a song and getting hunted?

Manny: Sounds on par for your work. He’ll stake you out first anyway.

Betty: There’s no evidence of that.

Manny: The girls didn’t have serious physical harm, nor were they drugged. They willingly approached him.

Betty: That just means he wasn’t outwardly a douche.

Manny: He’s calculated. He won’t just attack.

Brian: That may be true back when he had an accomplice. Now his best chance at success is to strike outright.

Betty: Did the Pacts die in an alley like the others?

Manny: Found in an alley but killed elsewhere.

Betty: And the methods are all different right?

Manny: Julia’s head was smashed against a brick wall, Natalie was strangled, Hanah was stabbed, the Pacts were shot.

Betty: So the Pacts were a single accomplishment.

Manny: What method is next?

Brian: Electrocution, poison. Possibly a whipping.

Manny: Drowning is possible too.

Betty: Then you go undercover.

Manny: It’s not my turn.

Betty: I went under last.

Manny: For like ten minutes.

Betty: I meant the trafficking one.

Manny: Okay; thirty minutes.

Betty: This would be a song and maybe a conversation.

Manny: Im not a girl.

Betty: Im not thin.

Manny: Thin enough.

Brian: Cooper has tits.

Manny: But she’s still thin. Some kind of fancy bra is the answer, Im sure.

Betty: We don’t know how the actual hunting goes down. He could find them at the bar then check them out online then intercept them. Or he could have lured them somewhere in their typical routes so that it looks like he intercepted them. He could have talked to them, bought them a drink, or maybe he kept his distance. There’s no information to rely on, we have no leg up. Those aren’t good undercover circumstances. So. Im thinking I’ll pass on the death sentence, thanks.

Manny: If we don’t feed him a victim, he’ll pick one himself. We can’t protect someone if we don’t know they’re the target.

Betty: Then we need more information before we go in.

Manny: You were mad that no one acted on your hunch.

Betty: Right; that was when I had a hunch. If he’s continuing his current deal, we have no idea what he’ll be doing. And if he does another transition, we’ll be even more blind.

Brian: You figured out his transition last time. He went from one victim to two. If he doesn’t continue-

Betty: Exactly. Two victims in this one move. So the last two victims in his spree were the same, but they only counted as one. He’ll do two at least one more time.

Brian: Sibling again?

Betty: No idea. Some kind of duo, but I don’t know what relation they’ll have.

Brian: Pact is a weird last name.

Betty: Looking at last name patterns, his first three had the pattern in common: last names that are first names. Assuming he does three again, one of the next duo of victims will have something in common with Pact. And the other one won’t.

Brian: But he moved from one vic to two. He could go from a group of three last names to a group of four.

Betty: True. *sighs* Unhelpful.

Brian: Pact is a word. The next could have a last name that’s a noun. Look up last names- something like alliance or promise or oath.

Manny: Elias Promise.

Betty: A guy?

Manny: Yeah, but he has a niece. Not the right age though.

Brian: What’s the age?

Manny: Emma Promise, age twelve. She goes to private school. Plays softball.

Brian: Any other female family?

Manny: Unmarried, only sibling is a brother- Emma’s father.

Brian: Find synonyms then.

Betty: Swear, agree, deal.

Manny: Brianna Dealy, age 19.

Betty: Part of a duo?

Manny: Scrolling.

Betty: I’ll check Insta.

Manny: She plays piano. Ballroom dancing.

Betty: Cheerleader. A flier- her base is a girl. Search Karina Montes.

Manny: Also age 19. She auditioned for the school musical and got a callback. Huntington School of the Arts.

Betty: Is she a soprano or alto?

Manny: No idea.

Betty: Find a clip of her singing. A picture of sheet music; anything.

Manny: Midrange notes.

Betty: Mezzo. Probably the alto lead. What show are they doing?

Manny: It doesnt say

Betty: Find out who the director is, see if its on their social. The soprano lead would make them a duo.

Manny: But she’s not the one with the right last name.

Betty: Right, right. Okay. Are there any more Dealy’s out there who fit?

Manny: Not local. We got the case when it crossed state lines, but it’s still been within a small radius.

Brian: Manny, get me the PD who the case originated with. See what he has to say. And ask if there’s a girl on the team to talk to.

Betty: I’m going down to the cave. See if they’re playing around with this one like we are.

Brian: There’s no code.

Betty: Not an alpha-numeric one, anyway.

Manny: So what? He’s communicating through colored ribbons?

Betty: Hell if I know. This is buzzing around in my head, I have to do something.

Brian: Im surprised you’re not going to convince-

Betty: Frazier won’t listen to me. He won’t alert Brianna. You’ll be doing the convincing.

Manny: Brianna has a brother.

Betty: Then I’m going to talk to him.

Brian: Take someone with you.

Manny: Not Joshua

Betty: Well Im not taking Chris

Manny: The brother is 13. Chris is basically his equal.

Betty: Then you go with him.

Manny: I do computers, not people

Brian: I always suspected you do computers.

Manny: So not the time.

Betty: At least he’s getting some.

Manny: Thanks, partner.

Betty: *two finger salute as she leaves*

[inkbydahlia]

LOCATION: JoJo’s house.

TIME FRAME: 2/24, evening.

OPEN TO: @doveportjojo​

Understandably, Dahlia had her fears where this whole thing between she and JoJo was concerned. In fact, she had many fears—the probability of her eventually screwing everything up being the most prominent—but a big one was the idea of them losing what had worked so well for them in the first place; their best friendship. Did Dahlia want to suggest another date? Absolutely. But, first, she wanted to make sure they still knew how to be them, so dressed in one of her regular, casual outfits (decidedly not the little black dress she’d worn on Valentine’s Day), she decided to stop by JoJo’s house unannounced, the way she usually did, and proceeded to let herself in the front door. The last thing she wanted was to not know how to act around JoJo, after all. “Hey, beautiful,” she greeted casually, the name admittedly leaving her lips against her will—good job at keeping things normal, Dahlia—and offered the redhead a bright smile. “What are you doing?” She questioned, plopping down comfortably onto the couch. “Do you want to just... I don’t know, hang out? There’s some new horror movie on Netflix that I have on good authority is actually pretty good. Polaroid or something. Feel like being terrified together?”

[ariianaz]

𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇'𝓈 𝑒𝓋𝑒 | j&a.

ari : "Where's your leading lady, Fisher?" The brunette couldn't help but swat him teasingly on the shoulder. She swirled the last of the bubbly liquid that was in her flute before turning a bit more to face him. "How did your Christmas end up, by the way? Did everyone absolutely adore you two, as expected?"

[silashart]

Pillowtalk || Moorehart

Silas sighed in content and rolled back onto his side of the bed, talking a moment to pull the cover over the two of them before guiding Jordan into his arms. “Two nights in a row... A few more nights of that, and I’m going to start hearing those little noises of yours in my sleep, Beautiful,” he teased.

@xoxosjordan​

[hqhaleyluhoo-archive]

f2f → jordan

“Thanks for coming. I’m still sad we had to miss out on your big night. I’m sure that party was more popping than this one. I’m so tired from socializing, so you’re lucky I’m making an effort to talk to you.” @jordnconnor

[camilahq]

f2f → jordan

“Thanks for being my date tonight. You’ve saved me from making stupid decisions. How awkward did Charles and I look walking down the aisle together?” @fisherhq​

[oldjocklowden]

F2F | Jordack

Happy birthday, pal, even though the day isn’t for a couple more days. Having yerself a good time? @jordnconnor

[kcookendrick]

waverly diner’f2f’jeremy&anna

The women couldn't believe it's been two years since she and Jeremy had last spoke. Hearing about his divorce was a shock to her and she felt guilty for it. He said it isn't her fault but the actress knew deep down that some of it was. When they filmed together Anna knew there was a connection between them but she was too afraid to admit it since he was married. It upset her that the male did get a divorce and with her in her head lately the reasoning for it was driving her nuts. With Jeremy agreeing to meet her for breakfast, Anna picked a diner the two used to go to when not filming. They weren't an item, they weren't hooking up but they were friends and she missed her friend. The brunette threw on a pair of black jeans, with a striped t-shirt and her rain coat. Walking out of the place she was staying at, Anna headed to Waverly Diner. Once getting inside the actress grabbed a table and texted him she was there. Anna was't sure what was going to come out of this. Getting nervous now she took a deep breath and waited for him to get here.  @jerjorfame

[sawyer-cross]

[ PRIVATE F2F ] @natnunez​

She takes the spot right in front of the Crystal Lizard, almost over the No Parking sign, and though she’s well acquainted with this bar and has roamed the premises while she’s off duty, its clear she’s not here for a conversation and a drink. “Out of my way”. She pushes past some guy in old Jordan sneakers, who gives her a dirty look but moves out of Sawyer’s way when he spots her badge strapped to one of her belt loops. Its just her luck, thankfully, after failing to find Natalie at her apartment, she finds her behind the bar, pouring a drink for a pretty blonde that Sawyer quickly recognizes as Lexi Mendel. She’s the one who spots her first, and nudges Natalie to get her attention as she points in Sawyer’s direction, who’s already reaching into her pocket and pulling out her badge, pushing the swinging door to the bar open without a warning. “Natalie Nuñez, turn around, put your hands behind your back...”

[darkchaptcr-a]

@butterflyiiisms

◤ ♛ ◢

kicks moon’s patoot.

[inkbydahlia]

WE’RE FALLING LIKE THE STARS ➝ JOLIA.

TAGGING ➝ Dahlia Harper, Jordan St. James.

LOCATION ➝ Hotel bar.

TIME FRAME ➝ 2/14.

WARNINGS ➝ None.

NOTES ➝  JoJo and Dahlia go on an official Valentine’s date.

DAHLIA HARPER

Admittedly, Dahlia was still kind of failing at this whole ‘more than friends’ thing between she and JoJo. Navigating the transition was difficult; she didn’t want to come on too strong, nor did she want JoJo to think she wasn’t into her by holding back. So, finding a middle ground was proving to be a task, one that had Dahlia falling over her own feet and stumbling over her words whenever she was around the other girl. Today, however, she figured she could maybe drop her guard a little bit, what with it being Valentine’s Day and all. She wasn’t going to do some huge gesture, that would be too much. She considered chocolates, but they didn’t seem very personal, and a rose felt like a declaration of love, so it was way too soon for that. Instead, Dahlia settled on a different flower; a single sunflower, one that she held behind her back as she made her toward the hotel bar, heart instantly beginning to flutter in that increasingly familiar way as her eyes landed on the other girl already waiting for her. Usually a total tomboy, she felt kind of dumb in her dress, but the sight before her made it easy to forget all about that—JoJo could easily steal her focus, after all. “Um, hi,” Dahlia greeted as coolly as possible—so really, not very. She rocked slightly on her heels, producing the flower from behind her back and holding it out toward JoJo. “For you. Because you’re kind of like sunshine, you know?” Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, soft chuckle leaving her lips. “I know, it’s super cheesy. I’m not good at this.”

JORDAN ST. JAMES

The most fatal flaw in JoJo’s system had always been her ability to fall for someone too quickly. The moment someone would give her the kind of attention she was craving she could begin to feel them pulling them pulling at her heart strings. But with Dahlia things had always been different. She tried to keep her as a friend, even best friend, for most of the time they had known each other. But when she really gave herself time to think on it, there had always been more. The way JoJo’s heart fluttered when Dahlia entered a room, the stupid smile that would (and still does) grow on her face when her phone lights up with a text message from her, the small things they would do for each other that people that were dating tended to do for each other; all blared alarms inside her head. Oh god she was falling. Not that she’d ever admit that out loud...at least not yet. But today of all days there could be more mush to their relationship? — if that’s what they were calling it she wasn’t even sure. Maybe they were just testing the waters or maybe tonight could be the night for her to finally ask for a label. Either way, in true JoJo fashion she arrived plenty early to the hotel bar. Dressed in a sweet and simple red dress, that was ‘perfect for valentine’s day’ as her little sister, Jackie, pointed out, the red head stood up from her seat when she saw her date approach their table. “Hi,” she cheesed before Dahlia brought out a gorgeous bright yellow sunflower from behind her back. She smiled even more (if that was possible) and took the flower from her, “You’re perfect,” was all she could mutter out, leaning in to place a sweet kiss on her cheek. Offering her to sit down, they settled in, “I’m so stinkin happy to be your valentine.”

DAHLIA HARPER

When the sight of someone she’d considered her best friend had started to cause her stomach to flap with a thousand butterfly wings, Dahlia couldn’t really pinpoint. That was exactly the way she felt as her eyes landed on JoJo, though. She always looked great, but Dahlia noted just how incredible she looked in her dress tonight, and couldn’t help but hope that her own boring black dress would somehow impress JoJo in return. She rarely cared about other people’s opinions, but lately, JoJo had become an exception. In fact, she wanted her approval more than anybody else’s. So, her heart stopped momentarily as she held out the flower, silently praying it wasn’t as stupid an idea as she had begun to think it was. The bright grin that spread across the other girl’s face helped to calm her nerves, though, and Dahlia’s teeth sank gently into her lower lip as JoJo leaned in to press a kiss to her cheek. “You think?” She grinned in response, cheeks darkening a shade in the process. She nodded politely as JoJo motioned her to sit, pulling out her chair and somehow managing to seat herself without falling. She mentally chastised herself for not hurrying around to pull JoJo’s chair out for her, but she figured she could make up for that somehow later. Maybe hold a door open for her or something. She wasn’t trying to think about their date coming to an end yet, though. Setting her purse down by her feet, she placed her focus onto JoJo—not a difficult task—and offered her a gentle smile. “Me too. I always thought Valentine’s Day was super dorky, but I think I’m starting to get the appeal.” Dahlia smirked softly. “You look really great, by the way. Beautiful, in fact. It’s actually making me kind of nervous,” she chuckled awkwardly, “Maybe we can order wine or something? This feels like a classy wine kind of place.”

JORDAN ST. JAMES

"Um, yes, hello have you seen you tonight??" She asked with sarcasm in response to Dahlia questioning if she really though she was perfect. There was a tension in the air, not a bad tension, if anything it was almost good. Like this was the first time either of them had truly let themselves feel the way they wanted to about each other. But it was great none-the-less. The soft smile that came across the brunette's face helped JoJo to relax into her seat, "Valentine's Day is totally dorky," she emphasized, "But that's why I love it," she goofed, her face now flushing with a pink tone from the compliment. "You don't think it's too much?" She questioned, "Jackie helped pick it out but I wasn't sure..." she trailed off before turning her attention back to the last part of Dahlia's statement, "Wait, I make you nervous?" Her brow perked. "That's so cute." — JoJo looked around, admiring the beauty and taking the drink menu in hand, "Definitely feels like a classy wine kind of place," she agreed, "Let's do it. Are you in the mood for a red or white?"

DAHLIA HARPER

Although Dahlia really was nervous, it was also easy for her to snap back to her normal self again with JoJo. It was hard to explain; even though their situation was so new, the other girl just made her feel so comfortable, just like she always had done. Maybe crushing on your best friend really did have it’s perks, she mused silently. Dahlia’s brow quirked, head shaking gently. “No, not too much at all. Jackie has good taste,” she motioned toward JoJo’s dress, “Very Valentines appropriate.” The last thing she wanted to do was make her think she wasn’t completely happy with their arrangement, so Dahlia quickly shook her head. “I mean, you do, but like the good kind of nervous. The kind where I kind of can’t believe we’re actually doing this. But it’s not something I don’t want, you know?” Her lips eased into a small, sincere small, eyes locking with JoJo’s across the table. “It’s just new, but I’m happy to get to navigate it with you.” Honestly, Dahlia didn’t even care how cheesy she sounded; her crush was evidently more than just a crush, and she was learning to be okay with that. She thought over the wine options for a moment, before eventually shrugging a shoulder. “I prefer white, but I feel like red is classier. What do you suggest?” Dahlia asked, easing into this a little better already. So much so that as she crossed her legs under the table, her foot brushing delicately against JoJo’s, the contact barely made her flinch, and instead just shot her date a grin.

JORDAN ST. JAMES

With that JoJo definitely had to agree there was only one person that she trusted as far as fashion goes that was her sister, Jackie. The girl had a very keen eye that's for sure. "Yeah you know, guess it's a little cliche to wear a red dress on Valentine's Day but I'm a cliche person so it works," she chuckled. It was so simple, the idea of them being together, at first was sort of hard to wrap her head around but the more time they spent together the more time all JoJo wanted to do was kiss her and that was very clearly more than just a friendship. Dahlia was nearly talking in circle and it was charming, though she knew exactly what she was saying when she mentioned a good kind of nervous. "I understand, I totally never though we'd be trying .... well this.." she motioned between the two of them, "But I'm so happy." Looking through the wine menu she read a little bit but mostly just glanced, "Red is classier but I'd much rather drink white," her smile widened and she felt her heart nearly skip a beat as Dahlia's foot grazed her leg. Once the waitress made their way to the table JoJo placed an order for two glasses of Chardonnay and turned her attention back to her date.

DAHLIA HARPER

“I happen to like cliches,” Dahlia shrugged, small grin still displayed on her lips. “I mean, I’m literally wearing a little black dress, what could be more cliche than that?” The more she talked, the easier Dahlia was finding it to settle. Mostly because she knew JoJo wasn’t judging, even when Dahlia was being her awkward self and talking in circles. JoJo’s presence was both calming and exciting, and Dahlia was in total agreement with everything she had to say. She nodded her head in agreement, finally feeling her heart rate slow back to a more normal pace. “I’m happy, too,” she nodded gently, eyes trained on the other girl as she perused the menu. Honestly, she didn’t really care what they drank, she was more interested in the company, so she allowed JoJo to order for them, then took note of how much she liked it when it was just the two of them again after the waitress had disappeared to go fix their drinks. Hesitating only briefly, Dahlia eventually held out her hand across the table, palm up and fingers motioning for JoJo to take her hand. “Are you nervous?” She asked, head tilted slightly. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

JORDAN ST. JAMES

The corners of her mouth quirked up as their cliche became more and more obvious. "Touché," Jordan nodded, "We're the best cliche I know." A million thoughts were racing through her mind though it was hard for her to truly process the next thing to say. Maybe Dahlia did make her more nervous than she was letting on. Knowing that her date was just as happy to be there though made her feel much better. Taking Dahlia's hand was something so small yet so meaningful to her, "You have no idea how many times I've wanted to do that," she admitted, "Just reach across the table and take your hand." The pink in her face starting to show again same as a piece of her heart. "I don't really know..." she trailed as she thought, "I guess I'm nervous in a way but I'm mostly really happy. You're just - amazing and I didn't really want to mess anything up between us with the whole dating thing?" Yikes, she dropped 'dating' but still continued, "But I can't deny how I feel about you anymore either."

DAHLIA HARPER

Dahlia nodded her head in agreement, the natural grin on her lips never faltering. She liked the idea of she and JoJo being considered a duo of some kind, even if it was a cliche. She hadn’t even considered the risk of holding out her hand—if JoJo hadn’t taken it, that could’ve been awkward—but her fingers instantly wrapped around the other’s, the new position feeling so natural to her. Like something she hadn’t realized she’d wanted to do every time they’d hung out, in fact. “I know,” she nodded, pad of her thumb running gently over the back of JoJo’s knuckles, “I have, too. Sometimes, we’ll be walking together, and I’ll get this huge urge to grab your hand. I guess I’m allowed to just do that now, huh?” She questioned, cheeks flushing all over again. She could see JoJo’s cheeks heating up, too, and couldn’t help but quietly note how adorable the sight was. The thought of any kind of label with anybody had scared her before, but as JoJo dropped dating, Dahlia couldn’t help the way her lips curved upward at the corners, bottom lip dragging in between her teeth. “I totally get that. I didn’t really think about it like that, us literally dating… But I like it, you know?” Her voice quietened a little, now an almost bashful tone. “I like you, JoJo.”

JORDAN ST. JAMES

Every touch between them sent sparks through JoJo's veins, it's like not only did her brain know that things were different now but so did her heart — but it was natural in the best of ways. The way her hand rested peacefully in Dahlia's calmed her presence, "I had no idea you wanted to hold my hand so bad," she teased playfully, "You can definitely do that now...in fact I expect you to." The simple gestures always meant the most to JoJo and she knew that the other girl could deliver on those things. Noting every movement of Dahlia's face she could see the curvature in her smile as she mentioned dating, it at least made her feel as though the other girl wouldn't go running away on her, maybe there'd be a label for them after all. (Not that she'd push it) — "If you're not ready to label anything I'm completely okay with that," she covered her tracks, "We can do this at our own pace, whenever we're both comfortable...." she paused, "But if it wasn't incredibly obvious yet, I like you too Dahlia," flashing a blissful smile to her right as the waitress returned with their wine.

DAHLIA HARPER

It wasn’t uncommon for JoJo to steal all of Dahlia’s focus, but especially now, with the two of them sitting across from one another, literally on a date. She felt so comfortable with their fingers intertwined, it was easy for her to relax, and despite the way her cheeks continued to darken a shade, she couldn’t help her amused grin in response. “I guess I didn’t know how badly I wanted to either,” she shrugged softly, glancing down at their connected hands briefly, before allowing her gaze to drift naturally back up to JoJo’s face. Dahlia didn’t know how to do this, she didn’t have a lot of experience with falling for her friends, but it definitely eased her mind a little that JoJo was so easy for her to discuss everything with, and that it seemed the other girl was on the same page. Not that that was exactly unusual for them—they tended to just have that connection, that kind where everything just made sense. “I don’t know about specific labels,” she admitted, a little embarrassed by her own naivety, “I don’t know how that all works. But I do know that I don’t want to go on dates with anybody else…” Her lower lip dragged in between her teeth, gaze trained on JoJo even as the waitress returned with their drinks. She paused briefly, until it was just the two of them again, before continuing, “Is that super intense?”

JORDAN ST. JAMES

Everyone around them seemed to dim the more comfortable they got with their date, her focus was solely on Dahlia and that's all that mattered. She was noting every movement and change in the other's face as they spoke, hoping that she wouldn't stumble out of place with her words. She took caution as Dahlia explained where he head was with them but felt lighter when she admitted she didn't want to date anyone else. Taking a sip of her wine, she smiled softly with the brim of the glass still on her lips. "Not at all," she replied happily, "I don't want to go on dates with anyone else either. And even if we don't label it now, I think as long as we're both on the same page with that part then we can continue to grow us together." Everything that was happening was like it was ripped right out the page of her childhood diary: she would spend time day dreaming about romance. She had always fallen easily for people but this was different and she could feel it.

[ariianaz]

𝓂𝑒𝑒𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝑜𝓊𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓇𝒶𝒾𝓃 | j & a.

ariana : on just about any day other than this one, the brunette would've been grateful for the dreary weather : the perfect excuse for staying wound up in her duvet with a cup of tea and one of the many novels she was hell-bent on finishing in a few weeks' time. today, though, she'd wanted to go out with jordan somewhere --- get a little fresh air, catch up, the whole nine yards. her counterpart, thankfully, had showed up regardless. she greeted him at the door in a pink apron, taking his umbrella in one of her oven-mitted hands. "i appreciate you braving the storm for me," she teased, eyes crinkling at the corners. she slipped a mitt off and ran a hand through his damp curls, swirling one that dipped below his brow. "even slightly soggy, you're adorable." her gaze lingered on him briefly, a droplet or two on his lashes brightening up the color of his eyes. the oven's timer brought her back to her senses. "shit, sorry ----," she said quickly, jogging to the oven. "almost forgot about these for a minute." ariana pulled two trays of oatmeal banana chocolate chip cookies --- vegan, of course --- from the oven and placed them on a cooling rack. "so, superstar," she said as she spun to face him. "what's taking all your attention these days?"

[silashart]

Date || Moorehart

Silas knocked on the door to Jordan’s apartment, a bouquet of rainbow roses behind his back; admittedly, he felt that flowers were a little old fashion, but he also knew how much Jordan loved the vaseful he gave them as a ballposal, so he decided it was a safe bet. However, just that mental debate alone confirmed in Silas’ mind that dates like this were so important. He liked Jordan, he really did, but he just needed to know them more still. But, the good thing was that Silas had no problem doing his part.

He knocked again, leaning against the doorframe as he waited for them to answer. “Toc, toc, mi hermosx!”

@xoxosjordan​