laurelcllivanders

[laurelcllivanders]

"I cannot say I blame you one bit. Like... this is fake. I don't want to accept a world where one day I'll be... thirty. Like ew–" she pulled a face and recoiled at the thought, "I think I'm going to have to host a funeral instead of a birthday party for that." Laurel plucked herself from her thoughts to focus on Erin. "But I mean look... we could still celebrate you and just avoid the whole age thing? Just throw you a party and I'll make sure we don't put any numbers on the cake."

“I don’t know if I want to do anything for my birthday this year.” Erin admitted. “I’m happy just skipping it altogether and not having to acknowledge I’m now in my mid-twenties.”

@laurelcllivanders

[laurelcllivanders]

"I know," she said softly. There had never been a moment that she'd even considered Dorian was doing this to sabotage her. Not only had she been the one who'd insisted in the first place, but it also seemed far from his nature to do something of the sort. He was too good of a human being to do something manipulative like that. You weren't a mistake. That however struck something deeper within her. Something about it almost scared her. "Thank you for saying that," came out even quieter than the words she'd said before. It took Laurel a moment before she managed to speak again, finding herself lost in her thoughts about all of this for longer than she probably would've liked. "Look I'll never be able to say sorry enough for how everything played out but I just want you to know I genuinely wish you the best. Like I said, the Tornadoes are lucky to have you playing for them."

The silence seemed to stretch between them for several moments as Dorian let the words sink in and he watched the woman with the kind of intense curiosity that suggested he was trying to figure out whether or not her intentions were genuine. His conclusion seemed to come in the slight nod of his head, relenting slightly to her words. "I hope you know I never wanted things to go this way either." Dorian eventually spoke up, words quiet but calmer and softer than any other of their interactions they'd had since the incident. "I never wanted to impact your career. You weren't a mistake."

[laurelcllivanders]

"No uh– he's a good guy. He's fine," she assured quickly after the flurry of questions from her cousin. "I just didn't realize that the two of you knew one another like that," she added, a blankness to her expression. "So you two are close it seems?"

"Yeah, I met him here. I would probably call him a friend now," Ophelia nodded. "I mean, it was before I knew he was that coach that you didn't really like, but he is really cool when you get to know him." Ophelia then got a little nervous, second guessing herself, she found herself falling into a habit of trying to fix and erase what she said. "Wait, you're not mad are you? I mean, I know you don't like him, but I just thought that it was because he was a man coaching an all girl's team. There's not something I should know about him, is there?"

[laurelcllivanders]

"I've got no doubts about that," she grinned brightly. "Hey it's alright. I should probably use this to pace myself anyways," Laurel assured when Octavia had told her that she could drink whatever she liked. "Of course, Tav. You and Erin are both my friends after all. I wouldn't want either of you to be uncomfortable."

"Okay, the next event you have, let me know and I'll design my best piece yet," Octavia said, grinning and then shaking her head, "Oh no. I can have one. We have traditions after all and I would never let you miss out on your fun because of me. So if I switch to something non-alcoholic, you don't have to," she smiled softly, "But thank you for being so understanding."

[laurelcllivanders]

Laurel simply smirked back at that, finding just as much humor in it as he did. "Competitions? Our neighbors will kill us," she snorted at the thought. "I would really love that," Laurel said when he seemed rather happy to further discuss and work on making this a reality. "But I definitely don't want you going to all this trouble if it's just to look out for me or whatever– I'll be okay. However if this is really something you'd want to do, I'd be more than happy to be able to call you my new roommate," she said. "That is pretty enticing. Have they hired you to get more people in on these classes or something? It almost sounds like you work for them."

"Oh, I am very aware of how noisy you can be." Theo spoke suggestively, a grin of humour lighting up his features. "But yes, we are both bad for that. In fact, I wouldn't put it past us to be having competitions, but otherwise, I am clean, I am accommodating and I am great fun. I think they are all traits you would need in a room mate. More than that though, I know you, and I think you need that more than anything right now." She didn't need people's judgement at the moment, she needed someone who understood and accepted her. "When we have both sobered up, we'll look at the numbers if you want." He said with a shrug of his shoulders that suggested there was no rush on it. "I can assure you dance classes are fun. I can introduce you to some people who are amazing people but who can also quite literally sweep you off your feet too."

[laurelcllivanders]

"I sure hope so," she exhaled, knowing she was pretty determined and resilient in nature after all. "And to know I've got you in my corner too? Icing on the cake if you ask me," Laurel added with a smile, reciprocating the hug with a clear appreciation. "I'm sure... but man can it be a challenge to make it to that top."

"It will. You always do. And if you can't do it alone, I'll be here to help you." He said brightly, giving the woman a hug again. "But you have, have you? I think that you have to remember that all hills are hard on the climb up but once you reach the peak, the trip afterwards is a lot more enjoyable."

[laurelcllivanders]

"Not silly, no," Laurel assured the other softly. "Yeah I'm looking forward to that," she offered up a weak smile. "It'll be nice to feel like a badass again."

"I suppose that it was a bit of a silly thing to say on my part but I am sure you understand what I meant." Gwen corrected when she told her she wasn't. "You're no quitter. You're strong as hell, Laurel and even if the reason isn't pleasant, I can't wait to see you kick ass on this too." She encouraged.

[laurelcllivanders]

"Yeah that's probably for the best," Laurel agreed with a small smile and a nod of her head. When Ben spoke about all the plans he had, her smile only grew, "I'm so proud of you, Benji. I can't wait to see all the incredible events you're going to plan. The world's not ready for you."

"Maybe I'll speak to her first. She'll prepare him beforehand," Ben replied, shrugging, "Yeah, I thought so too. Plus I have all the connections to make it happen, you know? Like I know people and people like me. I could have a good client base and good vendors before I even start."

[laurelcllivanders]

"I know... I know..." her head bowing in disappointment of herself and her behavior. Laurel had risked so much with her reckless antics and she'd never forgive herself for the damage she'd caused. She was lucky that some things had still managed to work out in her favorite but not for the cost of nothing. "Yeah, that's him," Laurel confirmed. "I've sure tried but he doesn't really want anything to do with me," she shrugged. "And I can't say I blame him for that."

Ben listened without judgment. He was hardly one to make judgments about reckless and impulsive relationship choices. He had made many. Even if he had no regrets about his current relationship status, how it had happened was both reckless and impulsive. He nodded when she finished, "I'm not in a position to judge," he said, "But Laurel, you could have easily lost your own job and any future job opportunities," he paused, "His name is Dorian right? Have you spoken to him since it all happened?"

[laurelcllivanders]

"Part of me knows you're right while another part of me wants to keep making stupid decisions," Laurel confessed with another dramatic groan. "Take me to the water I guess."

"I don't think I have the power to do that anyway," Cynthia replied with a chuckle, "But future-you will thank me when you have a little less of a hangover."

[laurelcllivanders]

"An admirable quality if you ask me. Especially since so many love to embellish," Laurel nodded lightly. "Well sometimes you need to set those things aside to help others. Don't get me wrong, I don't do it often but, if it's the people I love and care for I certainly try to. Well... I need to try harder at it but... even if it doesn't always serve you, sometimes – on occasion – it feels nice to do something good for somebody else."

"I've never been one to make things sound prettier than they are. I don't go out of my way to be rude but I'm not going to put myself in a situation I will not enjoy if it can be avoided too. Life is short enough as it is." He explained with a little shrug of his shoulders. "To a degree?" Silas had a little smile on his face at that. He was curious to hear her opinion.

[laurelcllivanders]

"I'd say they're one of the things that make life so interesting," she argued when he pointed out the types of people she seemed to favor. "What do you prefer? Low energy and snooze-worthy people?"

"Am I supposed to be? I didn't realise I had to have a sales pitch ready." Lysander pointed out with a lightly raised eyebrow. "I'm just telling you not to get your hopes too high. I wouldn't want you to be disappointed. I get the impression you like high energy, high risk people."

[laurelcllivanders]

"I've heard many people swear by that mentality," Laurel considered with a nod. "That I really get. I always set the bar too high personally, so the small victories often get overlooked but they're important nonetheless."

"I've been told I should be happy with every accomplishment, no matter how small," Pippa replied, "Sometimes they feel too small but I'm trying."

[laurelcllivanders]

"It's a skill I'm rather proud of," she shrugged back when he'd mentioned she seemed to be the type to be very convincing in nature. "And you know what they say, it takes one to know one and all of that."

"Oh, I know people like you," He was probably someone like her too in his younger years, and he couldn't pretend like he'd grown up all that much honestly. "You are the type who can definitely get people into trouble. Some how I imagine you're extremely convincing."

[laurelcllivanders]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAILEE STEINFELD

[laurelcllivanders]

Actual 5-year-olds.

[laurelcllivanders]

"I guess that's a fair request to make," Laurel considered the other's attempt to barter with her. "I am a little thirsty but I also don't want to be barred from tequila for the rest of the night."

"I'm not much of a tequila gal," Thia replied, "But you need to have water first. No more tequila until you've had some. Maybe after I'll consider it."