not-the-rock-idol-blog

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“Nothing says quality bonding time like the development of a budding serial killer.”

Okay. Maybe he hadn’t phrased that exactly right. He didn’t think his Mom wanted him to be stressed, he just...

“For Mom stress is a sign of drive, ambition. And right now I’m pretty sure she thinks I have neither of those things. I don’t think she wants me to be like...going out of my mind. But I do think she’d be happier if she thought I had a life plan. Or...you know...any goals at all.”

"Sounds like a good plan. I can think of worse ways to spend the day."

At that last statement, Henry paused. Is that really what Miles thought? Did he really think that she wanted that for him? That it was enviable to be that way?

"Miles, that’s not true. Trust me, she doesn’t want things to be like that for you. Kid, everybody’s going to have problems and stress at some point in their life, it’s unavoidable, but it’s not exactly a goal to have it constantly. If you can minimize it, and still feel like you’re doing what you want, you’re doing pretty okay."

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"Candy is always the day after. The girls secure an obscene amount of chocolate and we binge watch something on Netflix." Usually something extremely un-romantic. "I think this year it's Bates Motel. They want to catch up before the new season starts."

The other causes him to shrug. It's true. He doesn't have a lot of problems and sometimes he wonders if that's wrong. If maybe he should. His mom is always uber stressed out. Did not having any problems mean he had no aim? "I'm sure Mom wishes it was different..."

He shrugged. “Either, both, take it however you want. Though if the answer is no for Valentine’s Day you should at the very least figure out a plan for devouring a ton of chocolate. Or would that be for the day after because everything that wasn’t sold will be on sale? And if the answer is no in general…I’m glad you clearly don’t have too many problems on your mind.” 

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"In general or for Valentine's Day?" The answer was the same for both, but he thought he'd ask anyway. And no. He was not going to as Bekkah to do anything. That would be weird. IF anything happened on Saturday, it would be a group thing. Him, Bekkah, Gelly, maybe one or two of their other friends...

Nothing that could be construed as a date.

He gave a small laugh. Well, that wasn’t wrong. A lot had changed of course but she was still her. A little high strung, takes things seriously. Which was a good balance for him.

"I think I can figure that out. It’s happened on occasion, you know. But point made. Don’t you have anything of your own to worry about besides my evenings out with your mom?"

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Hey. He had to have some normal habits, right? And annoying one's parents was as normal as it got.

"Excellent. Now all you need to do is get mom to agree to leave her work behind for a night." For that would be the truly difficult part -- separating Natalie from her work. In the age of smartphones, it had become all too easy for her to bring work home with her -- to be connected to her email even when she was supposed to be out with them enjoying "family time."

"Good, you should." Henry was well aware of what it meant and that Miles’ world view had nothing to do with it. But if he was going to give him a hard time he might as well go along with it.

"Exactly. Just the kind of thing she’d want. I think that’s gonna be the plan then." Honestly Henry wouldn’t have just done nothing for Valentine’s Day, for himself if not for Natalie. He’d gotten better at judging what kind of dates or gestures Natalie was comfortable and happy with over the years. And apparently Miles had picked up on some of it too. Even so, he was still the sappy romantic at heart.

[not-the-rock-idol-blog]

The Last Five Years Starter Sentences (Part One)

"I'm still hurting."

"What about lies? What about things that you swore to be true?"

"Go and run and hide away"

"Run and find something better"

"Run away. Like it's simple. Like it's right."

"Maybe I'd see how you could be so certain that we had no chance at all."

"Where can I turn? Covered with scars I did nothing to earn."

"I'm breaking my mother's heart."

"Just as long as you're not from Hebrew school."

"Now I'm getting somewhere, I'm finally breaking through."

"I've been waiting for someone like you."

"I've had Shabbas dinners on Friday nights with every Shapiro in Washington Heights."

"From the minute I first saw you, I could barely catch my breath."

"I've been standing for days with a phone in my hand like an idiot, scared to death."

"My people have suffered for thousands of years and I don't give a shit."

"You are the story I should write."

"If you like to drink blood, I think it's cute!"

"I'm your Hebrew slave, at your service."

"I've been waiting for someone, I've been praying for someone, I think that I could be in love with someone like you."

"I guess I can't believe you really came."

"See, I'm smiling. That means I'm happy that you're here."

"I stole this sweater from the costume shop. It makes me look like Daisy Mae."

"I think you're really gonna like this show. I'm pretty sure it doesn't suck."

"See, you're laughing, and I'm smiling, by a river in Ohio."

"I think we both can see what could be better."

"I didn't know you had to go so soon... I thought we had a little time."

"Whatever, if you have to then you have to."

"We could be together, here together, sharing our night, spending our time, and you are gonna chose someone else to be with."

"No, that's exactly what you're doing."

"You could be here with me or be there with them."

"No, you do not have to go to another party with the same twenty jerks you already know."

"You could stay with your wife on her fucking birthday."

"I know in your soul it must drive you crazy that you won't get to play with your little girlfriends."

"You cant spend a single day that's not about you."

"I swear to God I'll never understand, how you can stand there straight and tall, and see I'm crying, and not do anything at all."

"I've got a singular impression things are moving to fast."

"Oh no, step on the brakes, do whatever it takes but stop this train."

"No matter what I try I'm flying full speed ahead."

"Things might get bumpy, but some people analyze every detail. Some people stall when they can't see the trail. Some people quit out of fear that they'll fail. But I keep rollin' on."

"I met my personal Aphrodite."

"My heart's been stolen, my ego's swollen."

"I'm so happy, I can't get worried."

"Handful after handful of Doritos."

"I tend to follow in his stride. Instead of side by side I take his cues."

"Yes, he's insane, but look what he can do."

"I didn't know the rules do not apply."

"I'm a part of that, aren't I?"

"First, a story. A little Christmas Story."

"I should take out my teeth and go to bed; I'm sitting her with talking clocks instead!"

"He looked and the clock was turning back."

"Sewn into the seams were forty-one seasons of dreams."

"Maybe your heart's completely swayed but your head can't follow through."

"Shouldn't I want the world to see the brilliant girl who inspires me."

"Say goodbye to wiping ashtrays at the bar."

"Here's a headshot guy and a new Backstage, where you're right for something on every page."

"Have I mentioned today how lucky I am to be in love with you?"

"I'm sharing a room with a former stripper and her snake, Wayne."

"I'm certain I'd prefer to be going slowly batty, forty miles east of Cincinnati"

"I saw your book at a Border's in Kentucky, under a sign that said 'New and Recommended.'"

"All things considered, I guess you don't have to buy it."

"He wants me, but he ain't gonna get me."

"Look at him, look at me. Son of a bitch, I guess I'm doing something right."

"I'll get on my knees and pray I can state in my next bio 'I'm never gonna go back to Ohio.'"

"The torture is just exquisite, while I'm waiting for you to visit. So, hurry up schmuck."

"Will you share your life with me for the next ten minutes?"

"There are so many lives I want to share with you."

"I am not always on time, please don't expect that from me. I will be late, but if you can just wait, I will make it eventually."

"Anything other than being exactly on time I can do."

"I don't know why people run. I don't know why plans fall through."

"I don't know how anybody survives in this life without someone like you."

"I want to be your wife. I want to bear your child."

"I want to die knowing I had a long, full life in your arms."

"Til there's no one left who has ever known us apart."

"Can we go see the dinosaurs?"

[not-the-rock-idol-blog]

Send ✉ for an 2 AM text Send ✘ for an unsent text Send ☠ for a threatening message Send ❤ for a lusty/loving/affectionate message Send ♣ for a drunk message

[not-the-rock-idol-blog]

"I'll work on that." And by work on that, he means he won't do a damn thing. Because they all knew (or at least he assumed that they all knew) that his world view had absolutely nothing to do with that. He just liked giving his parents a hard time. As all teenagers did.

"Exactly. It's nice but not overly romantic. Which makes it perfect for Mom." Because as much as Natalie complained about big gestures and people overdoing things, Miles was fairly certain that if Valentine's Day was to be forgotten about all together that she'd be upset.

"Surprisingly, no, we don’t. I don’t know how much of your world view relied on that being true so…maybe, but I hope not or you really need to expand your world view." At this point, dealing with him being a bit of a shit like that was nothing.

Henry considered the suggestion. “Not a bad idea. She wouldn’t think that was overdoing it and she does really like that place.”

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Put a rumor you heard about my muse in my ask and they'll confirm or deny it.

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"Wait wait wait. What? You mean adults don't live for the times there are a stream of teenagers wandering in and out of you place, taking over every corner??? Has my whole world view been a lie???" Okay. So sometimes Miles was a bit of a shit. Clearly he got that from the Goodman side (and his uncle).

"Dinner is good. You could make reservations at the place she likes in the village..."

"Probably," Henry agreed, smiling. "A night off from having a house full of teenagers is what any parent would hope for," he teased.

In answer to the question Henry shrugged. “She doesn’t really like when I make a big deal out of things like that.” There was a reason she’d called him the girl in the relationship, but, well, Henry liked the romantic gestures like bringing flowers. Natalie….not so much most of the time. “Probably something low-key. Nothing too big, just maybe a nice dinner.”

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Just a tad. But hey, that was future Miles and Henry's problem. 

"I know. I know. But it's been a while since she's been over and I am fairly certain Mr. Wellerstein would be all about getting his house back for a night." Since, you know, normally they all invade that. 

"Nah." He shook his head. "Just the usual. But hey...what about you? I mean, Saturday is Valentine's Day. You gonna try to drag Mom out...?"

At some point they probably would have to talk to Miles about all of that. That would be an awkward conversation to have.

Henry shrugged. It wasn’t meant to be a suggestion or a you should do this kinda thing, just a reminder that they could do that if they wanted to. “Whatever you guys want to do, I was just saying.”

Turning back to check on pasta preparations, Henry asked over his shoulder “So anything else going on? I’m clearly not up to date on nuances of different parties or what celebrities people are fawning over, but other than that?”

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"Yeah. Cause this won't end badly. Not at all."

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Miles would argue that there were no 'drugs'. No plural. Just pot which he smoked to keep things chill. It made pills and coke and such seem very counter productive. But then maybe that was what had drawn Natalie to them. The 'go go go' burst they seem to give you. He probably wouldn't be surprised if told. 

Probably.

"I know. Maybe I'll try and bring her by one day next week." Like Miles cared about things like that. They just ended up at Jamie's place most of the time cause it was closer to things (and cause he occasionally wasn't around). But it might be nice to have Bekkah over to his place for a change...the music collection had certainly grown since the last time she saw it.

Hmmmm.

So awkward. What if she didn't like him? Not in that way. What was he supposed to do then? How was he supposed to face her?

There were reasons that those couple of months weren’t the topic of conversation with Miles. Especially with Miles. It was a hard thing to bring up. Maybe Henry would talk about it if he wound up needing to talk to Miles about marijuana and drugs and things of that nature, and if he asked anything Henry wasn’t going to lie, but those weren’t stories you told for amusement.

"Well hey then that’s a good thing. And you know she’s welcome here any time." Okay, so maybe this place wasn’t quite like a party of any kind or probably anything like a best-selling author could afford, but still the offer was there.

As for not wanting to ask her out…Henry’s situation was different from falling for your friend but it did take him around six years to talk to the girl he liked so the idea of wanting to avoid it going awkwardly or terribly he would get.

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You know...somehow, in all the tales he has heard of his parents' teenage years. Of the apple bong and Grandma making like 30 PB&J sandwiches at 4 in the morning, those few months where Natalie went on a bender always get left out and that...that just doesn't seem fair. Someone should really tell him about that.

Where's the creepy ghost uncle when you need him?

"I guess. I mean, I like being around her so..." Likes being around her. That was an understatement. Miles more than just liked being around Bekkah. Kind of like he more than just liked Bekkah herself. But he's not...he won't ask her out. What if that complicates things? Makes them awkward? He's doesn't like awkward. Or complicated.

He likes things the way they are now.

Henry would have to agree with Miles view about which kind of party most teenage girls would choose. And then which kind Natalie would be more likely to choose if she actually went to either. Ignoring that certain period of a couple months when she was sixteen.

"Then I guess she likes having you around." To be honest, Henry probably wouldn’t be surprised if Miles and Bekkah did start going out. Or at least it Miles asked her out. After all, he was agreeing to go to fashion week with her.

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Know what? He'll take it. Cause 'better than most' is still better. 

But, of course. Do you think any teenager -- if given the choice between some publishing party and fashion week -- was actually going to choose the publishing party? Aside from his mom. Because Henry was fairly certain that Natalie would have chosen the publishing party and spent the whole night talking to someone who just happened to also be on the Admissions Board of Columbia and could they, maybe, help her figure out what she needs to do for early admittance.

They both know it was true.

But a normal teenage girl? Fashion week. Every time.

"Yeah. I mean, I guess she does. She's never told me I'm not invited, so..." In fact, it was usually very much the opposite. With Bekkah telling Miles they were going to go do this thing.

He wasn’t. But since Henry had only vague suspicions he was doing better than most. Kinda.

Henry nodded. He still wasn’t entirely sure who the guy was but he got the idea. “Okay, I think I get the distinction. Makes sense, different kinds of circles and all that.” And of course it made sense which Bekkah would rather be at.

"The things we do," he said, smiling. Miles really must care for Bekkah (if that wasn’t clear from the time they spent together) if he was keeping up with these things she was interested in. "Bet she appreciates it though so she has a friend to go with."

[not-the-rock-idol-blog]

Send “✆” for a morning text. Send “✉” for a text that wasn’t sent. Send “☎” for a rushed text. Send “⁇” for a drunk text. Send “✿” for a suggestive text.  Send “ø” for a late night text. Send “✘” for a hateful text.

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Hey now. Miles would say that he is absolutely as subtle as he thinks he is. Absolutely. Like 110%.

At least in his own mind.

"He's been in American Horror Story. Few other things too. All I know was that Gelly was jealous beyond belief that we met him." No. Seriously. He didn't get it. "They have a few. But I think with those parties you get more of the New York Elite. While fashion week has all the trashy 'fun' celebrities."

He sighed. "And that is something I never thought I would know. The things we do for other people, yeah?" Especially when those other people were people you had a crush on.

People were rarely as subtle as they thought. The only reason Henry’d ever gotten away with anything as a teenager was likely because he didn’t have to worry about subtlety with his mom in denial that he could do anything he shouldn’t.

Henry shrugged. “I don’t know who Evan Peters is, but I’ll take your word for it and I guess that’s pretty cool you met him then. Literary parties don’t seem exactly exciting but I’d think they’d have some celebrities?” Not that he’d know that many authors or their books.

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rockmeself: DVR catch up session with @rwellerstein.