samirpanchal

[samirpanchal]

U. What do they like to do in their spare time?

I'm gonna sound like a dick, but I trade as a hobby. I think it keeps my mind fresh and keeps me up to date on some level of economics, while still letting me stay far enough away from the finance bro bullshit. I read, but it's usually historical stuff, current events-related, or just random nonfiction. I play video games here and there. I'm not amazing at any of them, but shit-talking a bunch of sweaties before they murder me is funny. I also do random house hobbies. I'm painting one of the spare rooms and planning to turn it into some kind of cool media space, maybe for games or movies. Probably both.

[samirpanchal]

What advice would they give to their younger self?

Don't be a dick. The rat race isn't worth it and it's not gonna make you happy. Also, if your buddies invite you on a last-minute trip to Miami, it's gonna go really poorly and you should just stay home.

[samirpanchal]

"I'm definitely not the bodily injury risktaker type anymore." He laughs, shaking his head. "Back in the day? Probably. But now I'm getting to the point where I can sleep wrong and need to take ibuprofen when I wake up, so I need to be gentle with myself." He's probably teasing with the last part. "Stilettos?!" Samir's eyes wide. "I don't even get to prance around in kitten heels to start out? ...are you secretly wishing I was taller?" "I try not to dwell on it too much," he says. "I definitely did worse in my time, too. I just try not to be that guy anymore. I like to think life kind of humbled me a little anyway. I can't be an entitled little shit now. Not all the time, anyway." He watches her, nodding as she talks about her prom. "Normal isn't bad, though. No drama and your date not ditching you to go with his idiot friends to score drugs sounds like the right kind of prom. And, I mean... You know half the couples that went probably broke up in a couple weeks anyway. Plus, I'm a little jealous of you ending prom night chilling near Del Perro Pier if I'm being honest..." He cracks a grin at his own reference. "Way cooler." @joey-madani

“Rolling your ankle isn’t a part of the fun. The risk just makes it more exciting, and if you make it to the end of the night without one, it’s definitely a triumph.” Joey honestly just wants to make it home without ending up barefoot. Her flats were left on the doormat. She looks at his shoes with a drawn out ‘oh’, and says, “They do look nice. The unconventional coloring is fun, but I’ll be more impressed with stilettos.”

“I guess at least you hold yourself accountable now. Doesn’t help nineteen year old Samir in any way, but it counts for something.”

“It was — just normal. I was asked by one of the guys on the lacrosse team, my crush asked someone else in the group so I said ‘yes’, we took a limo as a group, and after, we all had a place rented on the beach in Santa Monica. Right by the pier.”

@samirpanchal

[samirpanchal]

"It was gross," he says with a laugh. "But you know, I had to try. I can't regret that part. It's always worth taking a chance." Samir offers a sympathetic nod. "Yeah, man... It's so easy to get sucked into all that, too. Or else just trying to match other people's energy sometimes. And it's not always the best people to be matching energy with. I'm sure you've dealt with that too. Hey, your son has a pretty cool dad who's also extremely aware, so I think he's getting a solid foundation either way." He means this, too, despite only having met Alejandro a couple times. There's a wisdom there Samir clearly appreciates.

"Oh yeah that's smart. The alumni are pretty easy to spot, too." He gives a quick glance around. "They're the ones that look like they're stuck watching their lives flash before their eyes... Honestly I feel bad for 'em." @alejandro-facundo

Alejandro winced a little. “That sounds… gross.” He couldn’t think of a more delicate way to phrase that.

He nodded in understanding at Samir’s words. “Exactly! Life is short. There’s no point wasting it trying to be something you’re not. That’s what I’m trying to teach my son. Luckily, he’s not quite at that age where being cool becomes the be all and end all yet, but we’re nearly there.”

“Maybe that should be our mission for the night — find some people that went to school here, and figure out what the mascot is.”

[samirpanchal]

"Hey, they just wanted the entire experience to be authentic," he says, his own gaze following the man's as it once again strays. "Kudos for that." His attention goes back to the man before him, Samir studying his stance, noting some tension. "Oh, I mean... same, usually. But I'm not gonna demand top shelf booze tonight. I can handle a few fruity cocktails and live." He shrugs. His eyes stal on Nelson now. "So what's your story tonight? Besides disgust at the drinks selection." @the-nelson-quinn

Nelson knew his alcohol but he was distracted. He couldn’t exactly use his alcoholism to focus on the drink in front of him tonight. He wasn’t even with Catalina anymore and yet why did he feel that pang of jealousy when he’d been with a lot of people since they split. It’s cause at the end of the day she was still his wife and he did still care. “ that’s a terrible combination “ he mused glancing back over. “ bad alcohol and it’s watered down. Sounds like a prom drink though so points for accuracy. “ he noted before glancing back. The Quinns were old money. Bougie was not really on their radar. “ those all seem like very conflicting things to be honest. I wanna taste my alcohol usually “ @samirpanchal

[samirpanchal]

"I'll make a mental note," he offers with a grin. "Ohhh confession booth is a great idea. It'll feel like a whole MTV's 'Real World' episo--fuck. You're too young for that reference." He shakes his head, fighting a laugh. "Uh... any other reality show, I guess? I legit don't even know which ones are on air anymore." He cringes slightly at the idea, but nods. "Yeaaaah just... that sort of lifestyle. I'm a fucking coward, though. I can't imagine getting the injections. I'd probably cry, or at least whine a lot." Another nod. "And then you see the botch jobs walking around LA like a fucking nightmare billboard against the procedures, and half the time they're on their way to another appointment anyway." Samir grins at her words, though he's maybe missing the meaning. "Because you wouldn't recognize anybody from all the work they've had done? See that's what social media rabbit holes are for. Plus, then you show up with 'the tea,' as the youth say." He smirks. "Nah, for real, though. I do drink hella water in a day. I don't have whatever water bottle is cool right now--is that still a thing?--but I absolutely drink so much water in a day. Look at this skin..." He holds his hands up to frame his face for half a second, then can't help but laugh at his own ridiculousness. "And absolutely. Gonna be rocking a blinged-out walker." @alexandriaxvargas

"You might need to pitch that for next year," And she was being dead serious too, she couldn't imagine going back to visit her old high school either and if she did she'd definitely need that therapy booth more than she needed a photobooth. "Confession booth as well?" She then added as a joke. "Me too," Alex tells him with a nod of her head, she was no stranger to plastic surgery, or filler or, botox. "Half the girls at my high school had their lips full of filler before they turned 18. It was kind of like a rite of passage." She hadn't touched the stuff, she wasn't as rich as her classmates anyway. "And that's probably why if they pulled this sort of shit at my high school I wouldn't go back." That was only one reason, really. "So that's your secret huh? Hydration, but you're still ready to go cause some chaos at the nursing home?" @samirpanchal

[samirpanchal]

Samir gasps, holding his heart with his free hand. "Damn... we are. It's gonna be a hard one to walk back." He matches her tsking. "You underestimate me. Ice and sadness are my jam." A smirk tugs his lips again, playful mirth in his eyes. "Fake cherry is overwhelming after awhile... It's kind of got the same flavor as the Chapstik, and Chapstik-flavored slushies are not it. We can compromise, though... half cola, half cherry?" His eyes study her as she continues. "I for sure never have. Do you blend them up into like a pie crust or just... put them whole inside stuff...?" Suddenly he's very curious about baking with cookies. "Yeah, I mean... it's a pretty chill little town. I kind of stumbled upon it and just decided to call it home for now. It was that or buying one of those souped-up vans and becoming an annoying van life travel influencer. I don't know how many times I could utter the phrase, 'smash that like button' before I went insane." @thecarolinexkelly

"Look at us having our first fight since cherry is supreme. Coke is great for all of two minutes until you drink all the soda and are just left with lingering ice and sadness." Caroline even playfully tsked as she said it, but there was a brightness to her eyes, clearly just teasing the man she'd only just met.

"I would never bake with funyuns...oreos however? Are excellent in baking, even when sober." She told him with a laugh, "Take my word for it if you never have." Soon enough the laughter died off but the smile remained as she nodded, "Me as well. I moved here at the end of last year, so...I'm still sort of getting my bearings. But so far so good here?"

[samirpanchal]

"Yeah I think a lot of people are pretty passionate one way or the other about those. And with root beer brands, too." Samir shrugs lightly. "I think it all tastes a little like chemicals to me either way, so I just don't have a go-to." He can't help but smirk as his eyes land on his snack choice for the night. "And it's not like I'm making healthy choices or whatever, so it's not that." "Design-wise, though?" His eyes are on her again. "I think it's Coke all the way. The red can with the fancy old-fashioned logo is iconic." @syrenaxharris

"I guess that does all make sense." Syrena said as she nodded her head. "And I totally understand. I am more a diet coke girl and diet pepsi just doesn't hit the same unfortunately. So at a restaurant, I'm with you, I just drink what they have. But if I'm buying it myself, Coca-cola products all the way." She still couldn't believe the conversation she was having in the middle of the convenient store. But it was a nice conversation.

[samirpanchal]

A grin tugs the corners of his mouth at the warning, Samir nodding. "Nah, of course. I respect that. It's my bad decision..." His eyes are drawn to the bright pop of color with the gum, but he forces himself to refocus. "Definitely Takis and Oreos. They've been doing it for ages. Although I guess Lays potato chips kind of have the same thing, right? They come up with random-ass flavors every other week. Whoever is telling these brands to innovate so much clearly doesn't understand the appeal of the original products." His brows raise at the query. "Funyun crust pizza? I... cannot say that I have. This is a legit thing people make??" @scottienolan

"See? Pays to be economical. But don't come crying to me if they suck, Ii'll pretend I don't know you," Scottie informs him as she chomps away at her bubblegum while browsing the chip collection.

"Personally, I blame Taki's -- not everyone thinks they gotta have fourteen batshit flavors," she observes as she takes a tag of Cheetos from the shelf.

"You ever had Funyun crust pizza?"

@samirpanchal

[samirpanchal]

Samir notes the nickname, fighting a little smile as he watches her, eyes fixed on hers as she talks. "See, and I was at some stuffy school in LA... And I'm just giving you shit because I 100% left too. But it wasn't for a rooftop hotel party, which honestly sounds pretty bomb. I don't even remember where we ended up. I'm pretty sure my buddies and I initially left to score some shit, I and left my poor prom date there, too. That poor girl deserved such a better time..." He shakes his head. "Last I knew, she was engaged to a pretty well-liked B-list type actor, though so I mean... Maybe my bullshit was for the best." He laughs at her words, shaking his head. "Nah. Haha. I'm not trying to hook up with some rando tonight... Not for prom." He bats his lashes faux-dreamily, then a smirk tugs his lips. Amusement stays on his face as she continues, and he can't help but chuckle at the 'hot' preference. When she points out her friend, his eyes follow, looking the woman over, and maybe even giving a wave if she sees him looking. "Oh, good pull, though, Luce... She's cute..." His eyes are back on her once more and he gives her a ridiculous grin. "...but I think I'm hotter... Just saying." A playfully pouty expression pulls his lips. "Aw, now Imma be really sad when I go home tonight, thinking of all that could have been..." He tsks, letting his gaze stay on her. "We should both be sad. I absolutely would have put my money where my mouth is." The corniness of his own response has him chuckling again, but he catches himself. Absently, he reaches out, lightly brushing her fingers with his. "Real talk, though? We really should have a second date..." @thelucexcaldwell

Stunning. Luce beamed at that, happily preening at the compliments sent her way, "Why thank you, Sami." She replied teasingly before rolling her eyes, "Pretty sure our delinquencies were the same. Sort of, anyways, since mine also included drinking and smoking." As any good high school debauchery did. "I went to some stuffy private school in Chicago? Me and a bunch of friends left early and went to a hotel down the block because it had a rooftop pool. My mother nearly had a stroke at my ruining some fancy dress she forced me into." A big poofy ballgown that most definitely hadn't been her style. Served her mother right, in Luce's opinion.

She couldn't help the snort that she let out as Samir continued to speak, shaking her head ruefully at him. "Yanno what, I appreciate the self-assuredness at least. So here's to hoping you do, in fact, find someone to put out for." She teased with a grin. "My preference is hot." She told him simply, shrugging all the while since she'd dated men and women alike. "I am here with a date though, my friend Violet." She looked throughout the room then, pointing out her date to him before she teasingly gave him a little elbow jab. "Gotta say though, if it wasn't for already being on someone else's arm, I might just have to tell you to put your money where your mouth is in terms of how the night would end, pretty boy."

[samirpanchal]

A prideful grin tugs the corners of his mouth at the idea of winning the thought exercise, and he quiets a little chuckle. "See, my instinct says pull from the Sesame Street characters and go Cookie Monster, but fuck... They aren't in the Muppets movies, huh? Fozzie might be the best choice... Ohhh or Animal, just because he likes to devour everything." He pauses to take a small puff, holding it for a couple seconds before exhaling smoke with his words. I think you're right on Gonzo. He's a perfect Grandpa Joe, but in this version obviously Rizzo the Rat is gonna be his sidekick somehow. And Fozzie would kind of be a good Mike Teevee, yeah? He likes to tell jokes and shit, be the center of attention..." @peterbasara

"There are way too many good choices," he admits, taking a puff of something as he chills outside the smoke shop. "But I'm thinking Willy Wonka. And obviously Gene Wilder stays as Wonka. Miss Piggy is a shoo-in for Veruca Salt. Kermit is obviously Charlie Bucket..." @peterbasara

[samirpanchal]

"I appreciate the vote of confidence," he says with a smile. He watches her as he continues, fighting a laugh. "See, I dunno if the idea of rolling my ankle sounds fun. Strutting my shit, sure. But I like to think I can do that in a pair of normal-heeled dress shoes, too so..." For emphasis, he points one of his toes, showing off his rather dapper hand-dyed lavender, purple, and blue wingtips, then shrugs. A grin tugs his lips. "Nah, see, I'm on her side too. She deserved better. She was sweet. And I think I probably made some half-assed attempt and then wrote her off as difficult or some shit, instead of actually realizing it was my fucking fault and groveling. I am not proud of seventeen-year-old Samir by any means. And it took a while for that kid to stop being a douchebag, I can tell you." A pause. "How was your prom?" @joey-madani

“But you could definitely rock a pair of heels.” 

Most people could, if they paired them with the right outfit. And if they had a fresh pedicure and decent hygiene habits, but Joey’s not going to ask him about that. “I have definitely rolled an ankle in them before, but they can be so fun. They give me such a boost of confidence. I’d catwalk everywhere if I could.”

Everywhere except work where she’d probably wish for certain death, even if it might increase her tips.

“Yep. Sorry, I’m on her side. I wouldn’t talk to you either if that’s how you treated me after getting dolled up for prom. Did you not try to apologize?”

@samirpanchal

[samirpanchal]

"Honestly," he admits with a smile, "I should have stuck with plain!" Samir gives just a little laugh, shaking his head. "It was just a lot of flavor with the fake onion flavor, too..." His eyes stay with Alejandro as the other man talks, Samir nodding easily. "Honestly, I was the same way, always chasing something and never just enjoying the moment back then. I try to be a lot more mindful of that part now. Sometimes life is more boring, but it's also a lot less chaotic, so it's been a healthy trade." His eyes then drift around. "Yeaaaah they really did this one up nice. I'm thinking bigger budget than the average prom." A grin tugs the corners of his mouth at the idea of the gym always having the undersea motif up. "Ayy you never know. We are on the coast. Maybe their mascot is the Seahorses or Mermaids or something. Dolphins? That's probably more common... Damn... Now I feel like we need to figure it out..." @alejandro-facundo

Alejandro let out a laugh. “Went down a treat,” he replied. “How about your Funyuns?

Listening carefully to Samir’s words, he couldn’t help but give a grin. “That’s one thing I regret — always being too focused on seeming cool. Feels like I missed out on a lot of fun when I was a kid because of that.”

“Mine was very different from this. I mean, it was in the school gym like this one, and we had all this street food, but this looks… like a different world.” Then he frowned. “Although in fairness I don’t know what this gym looks like when it’s not prom. Maybe this school always has an undersea theme?”

[samirpanchal]

"Oh yeah, that checks," he nods. "You have to probably roast up half the ingredients, huh?" Samir grins when she mentions cranberries, nodding emphatically. "Ohhh girl those are the best, for real. Haha I was hooked on those fuckin'... were they called Craisins? Do they even still make those? Anyway I went through this period where I was always eating those. Was probably way healthier than the Funyun thing..." He watches her as she talks, giving a soft smile. "Yeah, New York can be pretty intense. You kind of have to know people there or just be really good at vibing. It's kind of faster and slower than LA if that makes sense. At least the parts I saw. It always felt like if you saw people they were headed somewhere, you know? Like... most people weren't just out for a walk or whatever. They had to be somewhere, and they were almost always running late. So yeah... Just a lot of rushing. But at the same time, less bullshitting and fast-talking than LA, usually. Unless it was Wall Street bros. I was only there off and on back when I was doing finance shit and being dumb in my 20s..." He perks as she mentions Georgia, Samir's brain going a very different way. "Oh shit, running Atlanta, huh? Living that ATL life... I gotta go with that or a Georgia peach reference, and that seems maybe too weirdly flirty or creepy. That's basically my entire knowledge of your state, I'm sorry..." @hollandbrights

Holland often felt like she was still trying too much when she spoke to people. She didn't know how to talk to most people and natural conversations were stunted for her no matter how much she tried. "Sometimes, yeah. When I have time." The time required to make snack food was so limited that it wasn't often. "I know, I prefer a good dried cranberry." She knew that was easy to find in a mix, but she found them at more expensive places. "It's one of the more expensive places that I've been, yeah." She hated it because she really liked this place, but it was so expensive. "I didn't like New York. It was overwhelming. I didn't stay long." She didn't admit that to most people because she felt like it pegged her as the small town girl she'd always been. "Georgia."

[samirpanchal]

"I feel you," he says with a nod. "Yeah, it's been good. Weird in some parts, but, I mean... I think that's to be expected at a prom where probably like half the people attending are either married or divorced or dealing with weird life shit beyond the whole... teenage thing." A shrug. "Plus booze. Outside drama plus booze is always a recipe for... something." Here he grins a little. "Samir, by the way. You looked a little out of it over here so I was just checking in. I feel a little like a dad tonight. I think I've poked like 27 people just to make sure they were doing alright. Or is that mom behavior...? I guess it depends on the family dynamic." @adiletopal

Adile loved big events with lots of people. Blending into a crowd was not her thing—but she also didn't like standing out either. Tonight was a night where she was going to vibe and have a good time. There were a lot of people in Aurora Bay and most of them were really nice. She couldn't say that everyone was having a good time. She was sure plenty of people were having bad nights, so far hers had been good. Needing a break, she took a set on a bench and found herself spacing out.

"Oh, yeah. I'm good. I got a little tired of dancing is all. Are you?"

[samirpanchal]

Samir does his best to not comment on the fact that this man does seem rather interested in one of the women across the room, instead just trying to focus on the here and now. "Some of column A, some of column B?" he offers. "I've had a couple good ones, though. The trick is you have to go as bougie as possible and choose the most fruity, crazy concoction. That might mask the bad taste a little better..." @the-nelson-quinn

Nelson glanced back at the man with a nod. He really was doing pretty bad at trying not to watch his wife or ex wife or really it was more estranged wife at the prom. It wasn’t jealousy it was more he just missed her. He glanced over to her again before glancing back. “ yeah I’m good. Just you know debating whether or not the drinks are water down or just bad liquor “ @samirpanchal

[samirpanchal]

"Jesus," his hands go up, Samir shaking his head. "That was not my intention. It was a joke--a bad one, clearly. But I wasn't trying to offend you." He rolls his eyes at the next bit, Samir biting his tongue for the moment, though he gives a quiet laugh at the mocktail dig. He can't help but wonder if her date is hiding in a closet somewhere, crying because he offered her the wrong hors d'oeuvre. "Yes, yes... Of course a non-alcoholic beverage designed to taste good would be a horrible call. Dumb suggestion, I know. Hopefully, he brings you plain water. Or maybe water with lemon. Maybe with some salt for the electrolyte boost, but I'm guessing you have plenty of that already." He gives a tight smile. "Anyway, I saw someone who looked like they were having a shit time, and I came over to try to be friendly, but I have... severely misread the situation. For that, I apologize. I am getting your very solid signal that my presence is unwanted and making you irritated and/or uncomfortable, and I'm also not really comfortable being accused of being a sexual deviant by random strangers at a prom. So, you have a pleasant rest of your evening, miss." He gives a slight nod of his head. @connorsclark

"Public humiliation isn't really my kink but thanks for the offer," Connor answers; unable to think of anything that would haunt her for the rest of her life more than trying to bust a move while propped up in the middle of a high school gym.

Even if no one made fun of her, she'd never forgive herself.

"I don't know -- doesn't look like you think it's much overrated," she says with a low laugh, gesturing to his state that is easily detectable as not one-hundred percent sober.

"I have no idea where my date is at but I pray he isn't grabbing me a mocktail."

@samirpanchal