aylinxc-s

[aylinxc-s]

"For far, so good!" She gave an enthusiastic thumbs up. Kodi had been nothing but a perfect gentleman all night. Back to being the doting husband he had once been. Maybe it was all some ruse to win her back. Unfortunately for her, it was working.

Aylin gave her brother an incredulous look at his less than rose colored view of high school. He may have hated it here, but everyone here did not hate him. "Everyone loved you, Gav." The only reason anyone ever spoke in her direction was once they knew she was somehow related to him. They had very different high school experiences, and yet, Aylin knew exactly how Gavin had felt.

"I thought coming back here would make me feeling.. I don't know, victorious? LIke, hey, look what I accomplished!" The laugh that escaped her. It wasn't some demon to be defeated. It was just a gymnasium, disguised as the ocean that somehow still smelt faintly of dirty socks and rubber. "Do you still feel that way? Like people are going to see right through you?"

( @gavin-carrigan )

Gavin’s expression shifted as soon as he heard his sister was going with her ex. That was something he hadn’t picked up on when he found out she was going but the older brother in him was always protective. He wanted to make sure Aylin was going to be okay. “ how is that going?” He asked unsure if he wanted to follow it with because of it’s not going well I’m going to intervene

“ that’s good though. “ he knew Aylin hadn’t gone last time he just hoped this time would be good. He’d gone to his prom but he was convinced that back then his date thought something was going on with his best friend. Nothing was aside from the crush he had that he’d refused to acknowledge his whole life. “ I kind of hated it here. “ he admitted. He’d been popular enough but he never felt secure. The Carrigans made him feel safe and loved but being in normal high schools he always felt a bit like everyone saw the abandoned part of him. “ thought they were gonna see right through me back then. I was being ridiculous “ because no one would have cared where he’d come from in the end @aylinxc-s

[aylinxc-s]

Aylin's eyes look over to where he points and nods in agreement. "Good choice," she agrees. "You have quite an eye." When he asks for further clarification on the criteria of a winning outfit, she muses on it for a moment. "I think it's the balance between being on theme and it not looking like a Halloween costume." Some of these were a little too over the top in her eyes.

"Besides, it doesn't have to be a dress, per se. I've seen some pretty cool suits tonight. There was this guy wearing like a fishnet shirt. Very chic."

( @denverxhayes )

Denver felt completely underdressed compared to everyone else. In his defense, he didn't exactly plan on showing up until a hypothetical arm was pulled. His curiosity got the best of him (and the free food). So, here he stood out like a sore thumb with his jeans, boots, and the nicest button down he could find.

"I think I'm not in Kansas anymore, that's for sure." Denver tried to mumble under his breathe, but he was sure she probably heard it. "That one dress over there that kind of looks like waves is pretty good." He paused to point at the blue dress, "What's the criteria for what stands as a good dress? Followin' the theme or just pretty?" @aylinxc-s

[aylinxc-s]

Aylin hid her playful smile beneath the rim of her wine glass. She had watched a lot of Project Runaway and RuPaul's drag race in her day, secretly loving the feeling of judging the fashion while being entirely removed from it herself. It wasn't fair to judge so harshly but it was fun. "You're quite the fashion critic," Aylin praises. "And I suppose when you're dressed as stunning as you are, you have every right to be."

Aylin knew dress was pretty enough, but nothing showstopping like the woman before her. A hand goes down to smooth an invisible wrinkle of her dress. "I guess I should have known to take the theme a little more literally," she laughs. "I usually love an excuse to put together a costume." Her time had been too preoccupied with fretting about Kodi, how it would feel coming together. The thought seemed so silly now.

( @isabellahq )

" not that one, though, " isabella remarked, the corner of her lips curling in mild amusement as her eyes landed on a particularly gaudy gown shimmering under the lights. even for a small-town prom, it felt tacky with layers of glitter clashing in a chaotic swirl of color. " isn’t the theme under the sea? " she added with a note of distaste. " that gown screams out-of-this-world galaxy. wrong planet entirely. "

but just as quickly, her expression softened as her gaze shifted to a woman gliding across the floor in a sleek, deep blue dress. " now that one might make my top five for the night, " she said thoughtfully, then turned to aylin with a small smile. " yours is lovely, too. " // @aylinxc-s

[aylinxc-s]

Popping the cap back on her lipstick after a fresh layer is perfectly in time with the stall unlocking. At first glance, she thinks the blonde exiting the stall is some kind of hallucination. So many sleepless nights were spent scouring over Pru's social media, her face was so deeply etched into Aylin's brain that for a while she thought she saw her everywhere, like those spots that stay in your eyes after staring at the sun for too long.

But after turning around, Aylin knows that she's real. She's here.

Aylin clutches at her stomach, feeling the wind get kicked out of her. "Oh my god." Her eyes shut as she tries to take a deep breath but it only comes out short and shallow.

"Did he invite you here?" She asks the question even though she's unsure if she'll like the answer. The time for blissful ignorance has long since passed and Aylin was done burying her head in the sand for him. "Please don't lie to me."

( @prupipers )

Prudence was in a battle of sorts with herself -- on one hand, she didn't want to be the reason at anyone's night was ruined but on the other hand why should her own night be ruined for something that wasn't her fault?

She'd be battling with herself in the bathroom stall, sighing as she scrolled through her phone to pass the time before she finally plucked up the courage to go back to the gym.

She open the stall door and finds herself met with the reflection of the beautiful woman that she had been setting out to avoid.

"Oh, fuck me," she sighed outloud while making eye contact with Aylin.

@aylinxc-s

[aylinxc-s]

Her hand slowly smooths down his now fixed tie. The gesture is so familiar and intimate, two things that she thought they never would be again, that she panics slightly — her hand freezing and then returning to her side. And yet the hand on his back still manages to calm her. Just like it had before every black tie dinner or networking event that they'd attended together, a steady hand that offset her growing anxiety.

It worked every time.

Setting foot inside the gymnasium, decorated to the nth degree, Aylin's eyebrows shoot up. Was this what every prom was like? Or just the ones that were paid for with adult money?

Blowing air out between her lips, the overwhelm sets in. "This is crazy," her tone is unsure if that's a complaint or a compliment as everywhere her eyes look is covered in something oceanic. At Kodi's compliment, however, her gaze drifts back to him like the tide reaching the shore. "Thank you," she beams, a hand going to the light material of her dress. "I'm feeling a little underdressed compared to some of these.. costumes?" Was she supposed to wear more of a costume instead of just a pretty dress? "You look dashing as always," she tells him, a faint blush across her cheeks. "You've always known how to rock a suit."

As Kodi lists off the various activities that in store tonight, the thought of a glass of wine (or three) sounds the most inviting. "Drinks first." All the memories of high school are mostly non-important or slightly traumatising. A lot of sitting alone at lunch and not being invited to parties unless Gavin insisted he'd only go if she went. "Many, many drinks," she adds before scoffing. "No high school trauma dumping for you until I've had at last two wines."

( @kodiakjackson )

"Thank you love," Kodi stands still just shy of the entrance of the high school, letting her make him look presentable. The gesture reminds him of how well she knew him. A crooked tie was far from the end of the world but it would have grated on him had it been a later discovery.

( He suspects no one else would ever know the minute details of him in the way Aylin did. )

"Yeah," He says softly. She was perfect, they had been once, he wants nothing more than for the night ahead to be so she might remember that more clearly than she did his mistakes, "As I'll ever be."

With a hand on her lower back, he heads inside with her and substitutes his lack of knowledge for the layout of the place with context clues he follows instead. Music playing, well-dressed attendees congregating and blue hues tell him he's found the right route as he takes in the sight of the decorated and refrains from saying the first word that sprung to his mind.

"Wow," He remarks instead, "I think this is the closest we'll ever be to seeing what Davy Jones' Locker would look like if it was an actual locker located in a high school."

He could empathise some with drowned sailers who met an endless abyss after a shipwreck, some of his worst days since July had felt the very same. An endless ache, blue as far as the eye can see.

There and then, he can only see her.

( It feels more like air. )

"I like this blue," He compliments, "It's beautiful, like you."

He's unsure if he's allowed to say that but he's doing his utmost to remain committed to truth telling and it's the most clear cut truth he has to share.

"What's the prom agenda? Drinking, dancing, can I convince you to give me a tour of this place and tell me what it was actually like to go here when it wasn't dressed up like a pirate's dream?"

@aylinxc-s

[aylinxc-s]

"For me? Absolutely," Aylin tells him, looking over casually to the outfit in question. "But she's totally rocking it. I am a bit worried someone might lose an eye with those shell accessories though."

Aylin cocks her head, surveying before posing another question. "Did you bring a date? Because if you did, the answer should be pretty simple. Fashion experience or no."

“ I feel like I’m the worst person to ask about this, just cause I really don’t know anything about fashion “ Gabe admitted as he glanced back over to Aylin with a small smile. He was going to answer her question though just because she asked but he really didn’t know where to start. “ would that be considered overdressing or no?” He asked out of curiosity @aylinxc-s

[aylinxc-s]

who: @declan-jackson where: aurora bay high school, prom

"I suppose this must be a surprise for you," Aylin skulked up beside her brother-in-law's side after Kodi had departed to get another round of drinks, leaving the two alone. "Unless you had some hand in him asking me to join him tonight?"

It wasn't that she didn't think Kodi was capable of being romantic, and he clearly dragging his feet on the divorce for a reason, but Declan held a lot of way of his younger brother. Whether he wanted to admit it or not.

[aylinxc-s]

who: @prupipers where: aurora bay high school, prom

Several turns around the dancefloor and more than a few glasses of champagne, Aylin felt like she was floating. Her first prom was all she'd ever wanted and more, Kodi had made sure that everything was perfect. The way he was doting on her, giving her his complete attention, was reminiscent of when they were first married.

Excusing herself from him, Aylin made her way to the women's bathroom to freshen up. All the dancing and talking and smiling had surely messed with her make-up, and there was even chance that Aylin may allow Kodi to come home with her, depending on his interest. Sounds of the blasting music reverberated in the ladies room as Aylin leaned forward to apply more lipstick, a single butterfly fluttering in her stomach at the thought of were the night might lead.

[aylinxc-s]

📲 – the last texts our muses sent + kodi!

Aylin: Stop calling me. Aylin: There is nothing else for us to talk about. Aylin: Mom will be home when you drop the dogs back off. ( @kodiakjackson )

[aylinxc-s]

who: anyone! ( @aurorabaystarter ) CLOSED where: aurora bay high school, prom

"These dresses are outstanding," Aylin comments as she grabs yet another drink off a nearby tray. "Don't you think? I could see some of these at the Met Ball, I swear."

"Which one is your favorite?"

[aylinxc-s]

Aylin chuckled at her older brother, ever the womanizer. "Me and my date are technically going through a divorce. Which is more adult and yet somehow, so high school." It did feel a little embarrassing to be here with Kodi, especially after everything he put her through - but she pushes the thoughts aside.

"Well, I'm here so that's already better than last time." Her non-attendance to her own prom was often chalked up to not being popular enough to be invited, but after her injury, she was still not quite through her recovery by the time it came around. Not being at school for a long period of time meant life moved on without her. "I certainly feel different about this place than I did back then."

( @gavin-carrigan )

Closed for @aylinxc-s

Gavin smiled as soon as he saw his sister and began to walk over to her. While his own prom had been kind of a shit show growing up he felt like this one was just reminding him that he felt old and didn’t want to waste any more time doing something that made him feel stuck. Seeing Aylin was a welcome relieve from that kind of thought process. This time around my date and I didn’t get into an argument” he began as he let out a sigh” and that is because I don’t have one this time. So technically it’s a way better prom than my first one “ he joked “ how about you? Fairing better this time around? “

[aylinxc-s]

who: @kodiakjackson where: aurora bay high school, prom

"Wait. Here, let me fix your tie—" it had gone askew somewhere between them exiting the car and making their way up to the entrance of the gymnasium. She takes a small step closer towards him to ensure he looks the part of her prom date. Having never got the chance back in her day, Aylin wasn't sure she'd have returned the hallowed halls of Aurora Bay High School unless Kodi had asked her.

His promposal wasn't as over-the-top but it was personal and sweet and more than enough for her to go against her better instincts and say yes. Despite all the fights and the incident back in July, there was still a part of her that hoped. Maybe enough time had passed that they could try again.

"Perfect," her hand smooths over the fabric. Gaze returning to Kodi's, Aylin feels the small leap her heart still does whenever he's looking at her. "Ready?"

[aylinxc-s]

021. AURORA BAY PROM — a. sadik

— attending with @kodiakjackson // @aurorabayaesthetic

[aylinxc-s]

Aylin gives Lemie a small, knowing smile. "It doesn't have to be," she tells her. "It doesn't sound to me like pushing people away makes you happy. It keeps you safe, sure. But not happy."

"Do you think the only thing you add to his life is complication?" Aylin counters. "You don't think you add love or companionship?" While the runaway bride routine had no doubt impacted their relationship, it was ultimately a good thing if it brought Lemie here.

"I understand what you're saying, Lemie, I do. I just think it's easy for you to paint yourself as a villain. Some scary monster who people should avoid, but we both know that isn't true." It was only a facade, it was something that could be fixed in time. But only if Lemie actually wanted to.

( @lemielewis )

"No, but I'm sure you're about to explain it to me," Lemie shrugs. She could guess what it might be by the name alone, but she was stubborn, and it sounded too applicable to... all aspects of her life. How many times had she ruined things for herself just to avoid disappointment? Too many to count. "Right, so I push people away. I've been pushing people away since I was old enough to talk back. It's just my personality at this point."

Again, Lemie knew Aylin's thought process was rational and most likely completely accurate, but that didn't make it any easier for her to relinquish control and just accept that some people might not like her new position of power. That was just life, and she had no doubt she and Will could find other staff if need be.

"I guess I don't want to be more trouble than I'm worth," she admits reluctantly. "I know we have no control over other people's perception of me or our relationship, but I'd like to not complicate his life more than I already have. It wasn't so long ago that I up and left, and he was so hurt. I hurt the one person I care about more than anyone else in the world. I'm not going to do it again. Something happening to the cottage would hurt him." @aylinxc-s

[aylinxc-s]

Aylin's first instinct was to defend, just as it always had been before this whole mess. It was hard to combat though, when Maia was most likely right. Taking the glass in her hand with a small thank you to her friend for pouring more than Aylin should probably drink tonight. It was needed though.

"I'm not sure that I'm a fight dirty kind of person," Aylin replies, her relaying how unsure she was about the whole thing. The only reason she had left was because it felt like there was no other choice, staying would have made her seem pathetic.

Taking a small sip of her wine, she makes a waving gesture. "Anyway, enough venting from me. You invited me here, so I'm sure you've got more going on."

( @maiaxanderson )

If Aylin needed a carefree night, Maia was happy to give it to her. It wasn't unusual for Kodi and Aylin to be fighting, considering she'd gone through her own messy seperation and divorce, she knew exactly what it was like.

The blonde poured more crimson liquid into her friend's glass, then started on her own. "Ew. Of course," she rolled her eyes as if it were to be expected. "To him it's not even about him anymore, it's about control, clearly." Maia knew males had this habit, or at least most of them did in her experience. "You left, you made the hard call and he can't stand it because he knows he's the one who fucked up." She finally takes a long sip of her wine. "Sounds like you need to play dirty." @aylinxc-s

[aylinxc-s]

Aylin lifts her wine glass to her lips, listening as Noelle relayed the reasoning as to why she didn't attend her own prom. It must've been tough, growing up so quickly. Raising a child while still basically being a child herself. Aylin keeps her assessment to herself, although it's likely written all across her face.

"I didn't go either," she relays, a twinge of embarrassment rising up inside her. "No one asked me. I was a bit of a loser in high school." It was hard not to still feel like a loser now, some scars never truly faded.

Clearing her throat, Aylin's gaze dropped to the table as she gave a small nod. "Yeah, I'll be there." The words feel like a betrayal somehow. "Kodi made a big song and dance about us going."

( @noellexdriscoll )

open starter: @aurorabaystarter (assume connections)

where: la vie en rose

"Did you go to your prom? I got pregnant at seventeen so I didn't exactly have much of a senior year in high school. I always thought it seemed so fun with all the pretty dresses and corsages. I'm thinking about buying a ticket and going myself, to the one town hall's throwing!" Noelle said as she popped a cheese cube into her mouth.

"Are you going?"

[aylinxc-s]

Aylin's gaze looks for an empty and finds none, knowing that she'll likely have to change her order from sit-in to takeaway as a light voice grabs her attention.

"Are you sure?" Her brows pinch together. The last thing she wants to be is in the way. "You seem like you're in the middle of something here."

With all the papers splayed out and how focused the young woman had been on her computer screen, Aylin hates to think of herself as a distraction.

( @daphcaveney )

where:   driftwood coffee.  open to:   all ( 4 / 5 ) , @aurorabaystarter .

finals are a pain in the ass. even though she feels like she knows the topic, daphne still stresses — it's always a wonder how people can go in there and just … do it confidently. not her. sitting in the school library felt stagnant and sitting in her room felt far too distracting. that's how she found herself here: crowded driftwood coffee, on a day that feels much like it's a weekend rather than a weekday. she's only vaguely aware of just how bad it is until she finally looks up from her computer screen to see someone .. maybe, possibly, looking for a place to sit. “hey – ” louder than a whisper, she begins to push her stuff to the side. no need for her to have all that space. “you can sit here, if you want? i'm not meant to be taking up a whole table. and won't talk your ear off, promise.” unless they want her to.