briebarlow

[briebarlow]

#me at holiday parties

[briebarlow]

Any outsider looking in on their conversation wouldn’t assume much — Two friends, presumably hungover from the coverage of sunglasses, opting for hair of the dog at brunch. Brie knew better — As convoluted as her own thought process often got, she knew that Gigi knew, and to make it worse, the blonde knew that Gigi knew that she knew. (Brie may have been over analyzing a few things over the last week. Maybe.) Her gaze doesn’t give Brie up — She simply arches a brow and gives her friend an unimpressed look. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? All things considered.” She points out of the obvious, both knowing the party hadn’t devolved purely from MC members being shitfaced. 

“I was having a good time until some asshole decided I needed a nose job.” Brie points out with a scoff, eyes rolling as she took a large sip of her mimosa, silently wishing she could outright ask Gigi what she knew instead of tiptoeing around the fact. But this is what they did — Mind Games and manipulation weren’t uncommon for the pair. “Did you end up going home with anyone?” Brie finds herself ask nonchalantly, genuinely curious and wanting to push the subject from herself. 

what a mess. she was still grappling with the aftermath of a hangover and pressing cold spoons to her neck, despite the party having transpired several days prior. the events of that night remained obscured, except for one particularly vivid recollection - brie and gabe.

what she witnessed remained unclear, but she knew that it had been significant. and before she could confront the issue head on, they had been interrupted by chaos, thanks to her presence at the mc party.

gigi, her demeanor being composed, quietly uttered, ' shut up '. menu in one hand and the slender stem of her margarita glass in the other. she sipped her drink while gazing at the menu through her brown-tinted shades. after a brief pause , she set the menu down and asked, ' so, how was the party ? you disappeared one me. ' in actuality , it wasn't true; gigi was the one who left long before the pair. however , if it was one thing gigi was good at - it was lying straight to someone's face.

[briebarlow]

starter for: @mdwomn location: brunch

Yes, Brie had been avoiding Gigi. It's not uncommon for the two to go through bouts of no communication, but this hadn't been the aftermath of some petty fight or misunderstanding. If someone were to ask, it was her nose -- She'd spent the last two weeks working from home and icing her injury, grateful that the swelling and bruising had mostly healed by now. At least, enough to cover any other offending marks with makeup, so that she didn't have to hide behind sunglasses. No, the truth had nothing to do with her injury -- And everything to do with her ex, the one Gigi called a best friend. The blonde still wasn't entirely sure how to categorize that night. She hadn't been drunk or high or anything of the sort -- Just emotional, running on adrenaline and feelings she'd thought she'd buried deep. She could only assume Gigi knew what happened, that the sweats Gabe had let her borrow for her walk of shame the next morning were now hanging over her desk chair, taunting her.

She couldn't avoid the woman forever, unfortunately -- Which is why she finds herself sitting across from Gigi now. She's supposed to be looking over her brunch menu, but Brie hasn't read anything in front of her. All she's done is down two bottomless mimosas and silently try to read Gigi's mind. "I can't believe you made me come to a place that serves Margaritas at brunch." Brie speaks up, shaking her head. Thank god for her years of pageantry -- It's made her poker face unmatched, expertly hiding what she's actually feeling. "It's sacrilege."

[briebarlow]

The last few days had been far more chaotic than Brie preferred. Truthfully, it wasn't in an entirely literal sense -- More emotional, than anything. From the moment Gabe shoved her into the back of a taxi cab, her head was spinning. With the fight at Inferno, sleeping with her ex, and having to consult her plastic surgeon about an unexpected broken nose -- Brie was overwhelmed, to put it lightly. The latter had been a good enough distraction to keep her thoughts from lingering on Gabe, and meeting up with Nico proved to be a good way to get her anger over the entire situation out. Had it not been for him and his short fuse -- The fight at Inferno would never have broken out (well, probably not to the magnitude it reached) and she wouldn't be having to deal with a broken nose.

"Shut the fuck up," Brie greets him with an eye roll, though her words don't have much bite. Everything going had left her too exhausted to pick a fight with Nico. Immediately, at least. Reluctantly, she pulls off her sunglasses, arms crossing defensively. She has no interest in being seen with bruises under her eyes and a bandage over her nose -- The blonde doesn't care how dramatic her cousin thinks it is, or if it's 'not as bad as it seems'. "I was invited to a Halloween party, of course I was there. I didn't think you would be starting an involuntary fight club in the middle of it." Brie points out, chin jutted out defensively. The way she sees it, Nico is to blame for this all. (It's easier to decide that, rather than accept that it's only a matter of time before the Outfit and MC truly go to war with one another) "This is on you."

@briebarlow

Nico had given up on the maneuver in the car once the police had arrived on the scene that night and headed to find Shay. He'd had blood streaked down his face and all, he headed into the crowd, pushing and shoving the members of the Outfit toward the police presence who've yet to get shit completely under control-- the MC and the Outfit equally relentless.

Now, it's days later and he's yet to see anyone really calm down from that fateful night. Hell, he'd made it a point to keep them riled up considering the bullshit the Outfit was spewing. Not to mention all his people that were hurt during the fighting. He didn't give a shit about the gash in his forehead but with Shay getting arrested and his cousin getting her shit rocked, he wasn't happy. Blonde hair catches his eye first but it's hidden beneath a hat and oversized glasses on her face. "You're really milking this for all it's worth, huh? You shouldn't have even been out there, B, and there you were being a little gnat."

[briebarlow]

THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE | 1.08 Witness Marks 

[briebarlow]

— help me hold on to you

[briebarlow]

There were few things Brie truly felt fault for — Typically she could easily shift responsibility or blame to fit what she’d convinced herself happened. It worked well for her in the courtroom, and it kept her reputation exactly where she wanted it. But each time she finds herself meeting Gabe’s gaze, guilt threatens to consume her. She’d been the one to ruin their relationship — Long distance and her own insecurities had pulled her under, held there by her mother’s influence. Sure, once she’d blown things up Gabe had followed suit, but Brie had been the one to strike the first match. 

It’s all consuming when she sees him hold someone else’s hand, when she knows he’s holding someone else close. Pushing back with barbed comments and hurtful jabs numbs it, though she’s still left alone each time. Brie knows it’s not his fault that she’s upset — Her pride won’t let her admit it, causing her to take a half second longer to reply. She can’t help but wonder if he notices that — Brie would kill just to know what Gabe was thinking, like she used to. At one point, she could read him like the back of her hand. Now, he’s practically a stranger. “I’m the one who walked away,” She can’t help inwardly cringe at her word choice, seeing the cruel irony. “You’re the one who came after me, Gabriel.” The blonde points out, arms crossed and chin lifted, clearly on the defense. “We wouldn’t be having this argument if you had just stayed with her.” 

She notes the small amount of space put between them, and that he still remains far too close. The realization causes knots in her stomach, leaving her with mixed emotions. Overwhelmingly, longing is among them — It's hard not to think of all the times they’d been in a similar position, with his arms at her waist and hers around his neck as they snuck an intimate moment in a crowded room. The memory is part of the reason she preferred to keep a physical distance, one far enough to keep her from remembering what it felt like to have his hand caress her cheek or press against the small of her back. 

Then he says her name, and it’s like the air has been squeezed out of her lungs. She feels stupid for having that kind of reaction; The way her heart beat picks up a bit more and she becomes grateful to the dim lighting for hiding the heat climbing her cheeks. Brie can’t recall the last time he’d called her anything but Barlow — It feels foreign and all too familiar, disarming her in a confusing way. She knows in hindsight she’ll kick herself for not simply pushing past him and ending this, but there’s something about the tone of his voice that leaves her heels cemented to the ground. “I’m trying.” The words come out sounding much smaller than she wanted, though her body language remains guarded she can’t help the emotion that laced itself into two simple words. “It’s not like you’re —“ Brie stops herself, unsure of where she was even going with her sentence. She hates that this is where their conversation is headed, at a Halloween party of all fucking places.

Any sort of higher ground she felt with him is beginning to crack, only compounded by the mention of her late fiancé. Pushing for Gabe to be one of Luke’s groomsmen had been cruel — Brie’s not entirely sure why she’d suggested it, decided to punish him that way. All things considered, fate got her back for it. “This isn’t about him.” Brie finds herself saying after a moment too long, immensely frustrated with herself for having let him knock her off course so easily. “None of this is about him.” 

gabe has always been good at compartmentalizing.

whatever happened with brie years ago, it was over. dead and gone, hidden away in that small shoe box amassing dust in the back of his closet. the man he was with her, buried deep, deep under the weight of the man he was now. whatever happened between them didn't exist anymore, and dwelling on it brought nothing but frustration, and anger. truth was, brie left him. no matter how she twisted it, the decision has been hers. the accusation has been hers. and the walls shaking with the door closing, it was hers.

gabe had been a spectator, watching the end of his relationship on the sidelines.

there hadn't been a place for him there, after all. his words not as important as her mother's -- oh, how he had loved her. tenderly, passionately. how the barlow women had just taken his heart out, left a bleeding hole there, without much remorse. nothing, no one, had been able to fill it up. he had forced himself to stitch it up, clumsily, to make sure the wound wouldn't reopen.

it already festered and tainted him, he couldn't do it again with her. not anymore, not ever.

her words hit him square in the face, like a slap. "what is it with you that you can't act like a fucking adult? why is it my fault you're bothered by her?" why was it his fault she decided he was the worst fucking asshole on earth for trying to move on from her for years? he's looking at her; they're too close. closer than they've ever been in years. she smells good and he wants to take a step back.

uncharacteristically, gabe wants her to understand. understand the hurt that fills his veins everytime he thinks about her, everytime they're in the vicinity of each other. for once, gabe wants to hurt her as much as she did him. the thought scares him suddenly, and his hand drops, leaves the softness of her skin. his hand flexes at his side, he takes an imperceptible step back.

"why can't you move on, brie?" her nickname, whispered angrily contrasts the last time he ever used it. contrasts with the memories associated with it. if he focuses enough, gabe thinks he can recall her laughing, scrunching her nose as she laughs, hard and deep. he hasn't seen or heard her laugh for years, now. "you forced me to move on when you forced me to be one of luke's groomsmen. though that's a moot point now, isn't it?"

[briebarlow]

In the time Brie had known Elio, it'd become clear he's as social as she is -- He seemed to thrive around people. Or at least, he put up a convincing front in her eyes. Seeing him outside felt out of place, just as the cigarette between his fingers did. Brie takes a deep inhale, turning her head away from him so that she doesn't blow smoke into Elio's face. "I try," she teases, laughing lightly at her own words. A brow arches at his short explanation, unable to help the curiosity that comes with it. Her buzz has her wanting to pry for information more than normal. "Something happen?" She questions simply, accepting his suit jacket without a quick thank you. The warmth that follows has her shoulders relaxing, realizing just how chilly the initial temperature changing from indoor to outdoor made her. "I'm feeding a nasty habit," she says as if it's obvious, eyes rolling playfully as she holds up the hand with her cigarette. "And some drunk asshole tried to grab my ass, so it seemed like a good time for a break." Brie notes, shrugging a shoulder. "What are you hiding from? Or should I say, who?" The blonde questions, knowing that since she'd run into to Elio's ex, he probably has too.

Elio had been outside for the better part of an hour. The party around him had ben loud and warm, and usually that was enough to get him through a night with strangers who didn't stay strangers for long. But tonight there was something off. It was suffocating. The furthest thing from an introvert, Elio found himself wishing for his empty apartment and a reality tv show instead of a party. Sitting with a cigarette between his fingers and his buzz slowly fading, the man glanced up when he heard a voice behind him. "Wow, thank you so much," Elio mused, glancing back out into nothing as Brie joined him. "You really know how to make a man feel good about himself. I wanted some air," He explained, glancing beside him and seeing how she crossed her arms over her chest. Tossing the cigarette into the dirt in front of him, Elio shouldered off his suit jacket and tossed it over Brie's shoulders. "What are you doing out here? Y'not really dressed for the elements,"

[briebarlow]

Brie can't help the smile that finds her features at the memory. It had been one of the blonde's more petty moments, but rules are rules. "We're nothing if not professional grudge holders." She notes, winking as she holds her drink up in a cheers. "We'll find you something dark green." She suggests instead, not willing to compromise on making the change. Especially not for one person. It was almost a game between them -- Making the other jump through hoops purely because they can. It's the basis of their entire friendship, at its core. It's unsurprising when Gigi reaches for Brie's drink, she's tipsy enough to not be fast enough to pull it back. Instead, she opts to simply call the other woman a bitch before pulling her drink back.

"I have to keep you humble somehow." Brie laughs lightly at her own joke, downing the last of her drink purely so Gigi can't try and steal any else. The blonde moves as her friend does, turning to lean against the counter and survey the crowd. "A few," Brie nods, opting not to mention that she'd been ogling a man across the room, only for him to turn around and have it be revealed that it was Gabe. "None of them have broken any bottles over each other's heads, so I'd we're off to a good start. For now."

gigi let out a small scoff, using it as a disguise for a brief chuckle. ' yeah, and we didn't talk for six whole months after that. you better make a black attire exception this year ', she teased, giving the other a playful nudge before taking the drink from brie's hand in between her sips. gigi took a generous sip before returning the cup to brie's c-shaped hand.

her emerald eyes roamed up and down the other person's outfit. ' right. ' she acknowledged with a slow nod of her head. ' god i love it when you talk dirty to me. ', gigi teased before leaning forward, trying to look deeper into the venue. ' any hot people in there, or should I just turn around and make my grand exit ? '

[briebarlow]

Brie grimaces at the thought of what will come for that Prospect after tonight. She’d heard a few horror stories from Owen and Nico, the poor idiot was bound to be fighting for his life in the coming weeks. The thought of cleaning the club house bathroom had Brie fighting back a gag — She’d never step foot in the room in question, and generally tried to avoid the clubhouse. The lingering scent of beer and body odor was enough for her, she could only imagine the restroom was a thing of nightmares. “That’s —“ She pauses, shivering dramatically. “Horrifying.” The blonde pushes the thought away with another sip of her drink. “I don’t know how any Prospect makes  it. I swear these guys get off on making them suffer.” Admittedly, she would do the exact same to Prospects if given the chance, but some of the things club members come up with makes her stomach churn. “Ugh, I need that mental image scrubbed from my brain.” 

In Shay's opinion, the theme 'sinners and saints' is vague enough that she didn't really think anyone was capable of missing the mark. One could make an argument for just about anything that they wanted to wear — but apparently cowboy was where the line was drawn. She watches passively while the prospect is escorted out, leaning against the bar and sipping the tequila soda in her hand. "He's in for the worst week of his life," she quips, a brow raising at the spectacle. Shay remembers when Owen was a prospect and the shit show that that was. "They'll probably have him cleaning the club house bathrooms with a toothbrush before morning." Her eyes roll, knowing that despite the cliche of it all, it's probably not far off the mark.

[briebarlow]

The eye roll that follows anytime Dominic speaks is almost instinctual at this point. They have no real reason to hate one another, any issues between them aren’t from directly hurting each other — Purely association and annoyance. The latter is present now, becoming more and more apparent with each word that passes his lips. “People don’t like me? That’s so juvenile, Dominic. I know you can do better than that.” She points out with a scoff, giving him a once over. Brie pauses to sip on her drink, before adding: “Besides, it doesn’t matter if they like me. They trust me. That’s where we differ.” The blonde continues, glaring at him. “I don’t lose their money.” 

"Nah, nah," he says with a small chuckle, shaking his head. It's almost as if he's mocking her and to be fair, he was. Dom knew that he probably shouldn't hold everyone who even was slightly involved with the mob responsible for his wife's death. If anything he probably should continue to blame himself. But there was only so much of that a man could take. So instead, he'd poke the bear, enjoying seeing how far he could push the blonde. "Not going to happen. People like me. I know that's hard to wrap your head around that considering you're you," he explains. Dom was a charmer, in most instances, and since he joined the Club, he's found more people to rely on and trust. Sometimes he wonders how different things would be had he been a part of the Devils back in his bullshit gambling days. Maybe Lara would still be alive. "Weird, I know. It's too bad you're a lost cause on being liked. Lawyers are a dime a dozen."

[briebarlow]

Part of her knows that she's overreacting -- Brie has no right to be upset seeing Gabe with someone else. Their break-up was years ago, she has no claim or justification for her reaction, but seeing him with Catalina had hit a nerve inside her she didn't know existed. Brie couldn't help but wonder if this is what he felt when she'd been with Luke -- If he felt the same rush of anger, guilt, and sadness she did. It was overwhelming and unexpected, threatening to drown her with a speed she wasn't prepared for. While Luke's sudden departure and embarrassment he cause filled her with indignation, losing Gabe over misunderstanding filled her with an insurmountable heartache she's not sure she'll fully recover from.

She knew he'd moved on, Brie had seen it before. The blonde had spent the last few years hammering nails into the coffin that held her relationship with Gabe, turning them into what they are now -- They're not friends, barely acquaintances. She'd seen him bring girlfriends or dates to events they both attend, but something about the combination of alcohol and unexpectedly walking into a shared moment became the perfect storm. One that had her stomping away as fast as her heels would take her, confused by the way the sight of him with someone else simply hurt. She wanted out of there, to drown herself in gin and tonics and find a stranger to replace him with.

Gabe's voice finds her, muffled by the sound of some club remix of a Nicki Minaj song. For better or worse, she'd know that voice anywhere -- Brie keeps moving, hoping she could lose him in a sea of club members and party goers. The feeling of his hand on her elbow, forcing her both literally and metaphorically face her demons, is unexpected. "Get your fucking ha --" She stops herself as her back bumps into the wall, forced to look up at him. The party is far too crowded for them to not end up in such close proximity. Despite her heels, she still has to look up at him, and in the dim lighting, Brie can see that he looks good. The blonde pushes the thought out of her head, forcing herself to focus on how annoyed she is with him -- It's safer that way, not letting herself dive into anything deeper than surface level bullshit. He never failed to stir something within her, despite how hard she tries to push it down.

"My problem? You're the one who just fucking cornered me." She counters, yanking her arm away from him. Her tone is laced in sarcasm and frustration as it usually is when it comes to Gabe -- But the context of it is what outs her. It only occurs to her then that this is the closest they've physically been in years. It makes her heart skip a beat. "Sorry I don't want to watch you suck face with some random girl." Brie rolls her eyes, though she knows exactly who Cat is. Had it not been for that moment, she probably would have been friends with the biker -- But there's some sort of instinct in her that won't let her show kindness to someone she knows is sleeping with Gabe. In hindsight, she'll probably see the flawed logic of it all -- In this moment, she can't see past what's right in front of her. And right now, it's the last person she wants to be around.

@briebarlow

"can you just stop for one fucking second!" his voice barely rises above the music as he follows brie in an unknown corridor; she's not difficult to miss, all white shining under the lights. if he wasn't busy trying to squash the anger bumbling to the surface, gabe would have let himself appreciate the curves of her hips and the way her legs seemed smooth under the touch. but of course, as always, his first reaction when seeing brie is to be so fucking annoyed.

it's not long before gabe reaches her, a hand grabbing her elbow in one swift movement, to stop her from fleeing away from him. again. he doesn't mean to push her against the wall, but there are so many people here, and gabe needs this conversation. since they saw each other at the Aubrey, where she successfully riled him up and treated him like he was nothing but dirt under her platform shoes, gabe knows. there's a fight, unresolved, hiding in the palpable tensions of their relationship. or whatever relationship they used to have.

"what's your issue, barlow? the fuck i've done to you now?"

[briebarlow]

Genuinely, Brie is surprised to find herself in the company of Gigi tonight. She enjoyed having her there -- But Enzo Lombardi's daughter at an MC party was bound to cause a bit of... tension. Brie took a large sip of her drink to push the thought of tensions rising further out of her head. "I suppose so. I've done the same at my last Christmas party, I admire the commitment." She points out, knowing Gigi will recall the ordeal that was Brie having security escort out any guest not dressed in red or green at her last holiday party. "I'm a saint," She gives her friend an annoyed look, scoffing as she spoke. "Fucking obviously." Eyes roll, as she gives Gigi a once over. She looks incredible, of course. "You look stupid." Brie notes, sipping her drink.

she probably shouldn't have been there. but if there was one person who consistently defied societal ( or the mc ) norms, it was gigi. just as the commotion near the front door began to unfold, she swiftly made her entrance, sidestepping the impending chaos. gigi eventually found her place beside her blonde companion. she furrowed her eyebrows in response to the words exchanged but couldn't tear her gaze away from mitch. it wasn't the wisest decision to be at the forefront, particularly for someone who shouldn't of been there. ' a dress code is a dress code... ', the raven-haired girl nonchalantly remarked. gigi quirked an eyebrow and retorted, ' and what are you supposed to be ? '

[briebarlow]

brie barlow ft. her outfit for saints & sinners.

She's dressed as a saint because she's never done any wrong.

[briebarlow]

starter for: @elioluna location: just outside of inferno

As much as Brie enjoyed a crowd, these days she found herself needing to step outside for a bit of air more often than she cared to admit. She knew she needed to give up smoking -- It was a nasty habit she'd picked up in private school, and couldn't quite kick as an adult. The blonde found that the cool Chicago air was complemented by the smell of cigarette smoke. Plus, it gave her a moment to herself. What she hadn't expected as she stepped outside, was to find Elio already out there with a cigarette of his own. Eyes narrow as she gets a better look at him, lighting the cigarette between her teeth before she speaks. He'd gone on smoke breaks with her before, but she knew he only actually picked up a cigarette if he was stressed. "You look like shit." She comments simply, taking a deep inhale of her cigarette, arms crossed over her chest. Briefly, she wished she'd worn something with a bit more coverage -- At least the cigarette and alcohol will keep her warm. "What are you doing out here?"

[briebarlow]

Brie is skeptical about Omar Ayala, he's quickly become someone she doesn't seek out due to her friendship with Elio. He was among the short list of club members she didn't enjoy, so she kept a distance for the sake of peace -- And remaining off of Mitch's shitlist. The last thing she was interested in was the man in question showing up at her door with complaints and some bullshit about brotherhood. "Everyone will be shit faced soon enough." She shrugs, sipping her drink. She could play cordial. Brie understands how long it takes to get ready -- It had taken her just as long, but she is too petty to let herself relate to him. Everytime she looks at Omar, she pictures her conversation with Elio -- Hammered, staring at the ceiling as they discuss love and heartache, and those who brought it on. "I did." She answers simply, before her brows furrow. "Absolutely not."

omar wasn't going to show. he really wasn't after the horrid week he's had. but he was tired of his abuela yelling at spanish soap operas on bravo all day and he needed to get out of the house at least for a little bit. by the end of the week he was going stir crazy. "i didn't pre game before coming here, was that potentially a mistake? i think it was judging by the thrown-out prospects. instead, i took four hours to get ready." he says brows furrowing as he tilts his hat off to respectfully greet brie and holding it to his chest. "did you just get here? and do you want to go to the bar to get a drink with me?"

[briebarlow]

Brie knew she'd run into Dom -- It was inevitable, given the circumstances. Regardless, his presence prompts an immediate eye roll. He doesn't get under her skin necessarily, but he certainly loves to push her buttons. Though part of her is impressed at his ability to hold his own against her, he still reminds her of a fly buzzing by her ear, that she can't quite get away from. He's, admittedly, probably right -- The club loved to fuck with Prospects, and personally, she did too. But Brie wasn't in the interest of agreeing with him, her pride wouldn't let her. Instead, she gives Dom a once over and an unimpressed look, a scoff leaving her lips as soon as he calls her a suck up. "I wish someone had pulled that stunt with you," she nods towards the door. "It would have made my night to see you thrown out on your ass." She points out, sipping her drink. "What a shame."

Dom had watched the scene unfold from beside Brie. Despite the words that came from the President's mouth-- that you must come costumed-- people still hadn't really listened. The prospect wasn't the first one either. Dom had chosen a shirt with ghosts on it, trying to pass it as close enough to being a sinner. He was collecting souls or something. At least it passed the look test so far. "Pretty sure someone told him the wrong shit to fuck with him," he assures Brie. And considering the Prospect's confusion, it seemed like he was probably right. "Nice job sucking up though. Figures that'd be your M.O." Liquor definitely added to Dom's mouth tonight but seeing Brie always had him annoyed for this reason or that.