Esme didn't know what it was like to live with roommates other than the ones she lived with now, so everything they did together was the norm. It might have been that the five of them quickly bonded and quickly learned that they liked each other's presence but the five created traditions. One of them being Bachelor night
The roommates stood in the kitchen, four of them standing in a line only as they pretend Claire is going to hand out roses in the form of smoothies as she gets to play the role of the Bachelor
"Well, it's breakfast on a Monday, which means The Bachelor is on tonight," Jayden announces pacing the kitchen before the roommates "It's been another dramatic week, and the big question is: Will the fact that Chelsea reads her book while everyone had fun watching ultimately affect Claire's decision? Let's find out now... at the smoothie ceremony"
"I'm not doing this again," Chelsea grumpily states arms crossed
Nothing being able to ruin their mood makes Claire smile, "Do you want the smoothie or not?"
"You know that I want it!" Chelsea exclaims wearing her new work uniform having gotten a job as the receptionist at Grant's gym
Claire smirks picking up a smoothie and with a dramatic pause says a name receiving a sigh of relief, "Solana. Will you accept this smoothie?"
Solana takes a step forward ready to take the glass, "Of course"
Solana moves back into the line smoothie in hand making Claire pick up another one of the remaining three. Taking another dramatic pause looking at her three roommates Claire receives three different facial expressions and only two being into their morning routine
"Esme," Claire states making Esme blow the girl a kiss as she takes a step forward "Will you accept this smoothie?"
"Hells yes" Esme whispers taking the smoothie and going back into the line
Doing the same as before the blonde in her yellow striped shirt picks up the second to last smoothie. Claire had been going down the line in order meaning at the end of her dramatic pause it was no surprise whose name she said next, "Grant"
"Yes," Grant exclaims with a smile only to turn to look at the blonde who was grumpily waiting for her smoothie, "I'm so sorry"
"Will you accept this smoothie?"
Grant places his hands over Claire's answering, "Always"
"Roomies, this is the final smoothie," Jayden announces and in Claire picking up the last smoothie he leans towards her saying, "When you're ready"
"Chelse," Claire says in a shaky voice diving into the drama making the sister step forward with an annoyed look "It was been a truly–"
"Give me the damn smoothie." Chelsea shouts, taking the smoothie from her sister's hands finally losing her patience "God, I hate Bachelor nights!"
The rest of the roommates loved it and it showed in how they happily drank their smoothies and were excited about how they were going to end the day
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Meeting up at Franklin's for lunch was something normal for the roommates because they used Claire's discount - adulting had truly become all about budgeting not spending. But also because it was never too far from wherever they were all at and just gave them all a chance to talk in person in the middle of the day.
"God, I can't believe I lied!" Chelsea exclaims to her roommates as her sister walked towards their table with their drinks "What was I thinking? She's just so Margot. You know in high school when I got an A, she would brag about her A-plus. When I got into Harvard, she called it a safety school for people who couldn't get into Oxford"
"I actually went to my safety school. The Middleton Academy for boy Models" Jayden proudly grins and raises his hands in the air as if he was waving small flags "Go, Tigers!"
"I also went to my safety school-" Esme chimes in glad safety schools existed "Well that is after a month at Yale"
Chelsea couldn't help but take a pause at the news that the model roommate - who she's seen annotate romance novels the way she annotated classic books - went to one of the top ten universities in the world.
"Now she's in town shopping her novel and all I've ever written are three sad little words." Chelsea sadly shares making the table turn to look at her waiting for her three words "It was Tuesday"
"Hey, Tuesday's a great word!" Claire says supportively
"And a great day!" Esme tries to help out
"Tuesday! Tuesday!" Claire exclaims in awe and turns to her sister with a smile "No, I think you've got something there"
A phone chimes making them all know it wasn't their phone with a notification as theirs were on silent. Chelsea on the other hand seemed to never get the silent memo as her phone was the one that had rung. Hesitantly looking at her new notification Chelsea places her phone back down, "Oh, God. She keeps texting me for the address. I'll just blow her off"
"And stay at home to watch The Bachelor with us," Claire happily says loving Bachelor night
"Oh yes yes, or I could get lost at sea both great options," Chelsea states not acting happy for the new tradition she had joined
"Or you send her our address and we make your lie a reality," Solana suggests making the friends start to grin liking her idea
All but Chelsea who didn't understand the sudden smile on everyone's face, "I'm not following"
"It's called pretending." Claire explains as if it was a well-kept secret "So when Margot comes over, we're all going to pretend like everything you said is true. you'll have an agent, a boyfriend, a personal chef, and a big fat book deal"
All the roommates were in full support of the plan without knowing the logistics.
"This is nuts," Chelsea scoffs in disbelief but her mind was racing "Why am I even considering this? Why am I still considering this? Why have I not stopped considering this?"
"Do it!" Jayden starts to chant making everyone chime in "Do it! Do it! Do it!"
"Okay, okay, okay!" Chelsea agrees, wanting them to stop their chanting "Let's do it"
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Back at the house, Esme was sitting on the couch setting plans for a new photoshoot gig. All while Solana practiced yoga, Grant worked out with some bands and Chelsea paced the living room pen and paper in hand.
Esme raises her hand as a way to gather Chelsea's attention, "I work later so I can't participate"
"Okay. Margot will be expecting my lit agent. Someone sharp, someone sophisticated," Chelsea plans stopping at the kitchen looking over at the brunette in a yoga pose, "Solana, you were a lawyer"
"I'm on it, but I'll need your full commitment that you're not working with any other agents," Solana agrees while in a snake pose keeping her eyes straightforward
"Oh I mean... this is all pretend so..." Chelsea trails off seeing that no one else though the ex-lawyers words were playing into the pretend bit too much
Solana stands up extending her arms out in a new stretch, "And I need that commitment in writing by end of day"
"Okay. Next, I told Margot that this would be catered by a professional chef." Chelsea looks at her sister waving the green pen in the air as she spoke, "So, Claire, you think you can do that?"
"Sure, I've already got tons of food prepared for Bachelor night"
At her sister's peppy voice and excitement Chelsea feels the need to advise, "Okay just remember, Margot's never met you, so tonight, you're not my sister, you're a stranger. no hugs, no nicknames, no trying to finish my sentences because you think we speak the same–"
Claire cuts her sister off, "English. got it"
"Okay," Chelsea taps her notebook, "That just leaves the boyfriend"
"I can play straight, but I'd need a full two weeks to prepare," Jayden sadly tells the woman in need of help
"Or I can be your boyfriend," Grant offers walking up to the blonde
"Okay. Yeah, that's perfect." Chelsea swoons while doing her best to compose herself "You will be the boyfriend and we live here and you're a brilliant Ph.D. in something Margrot knows nothing about. so we'll tell her you're a... microbiologist"
"Got it" Grant quickly agrees not knowing what a microbiologist is
"That leaves moi." Jayden speaks up making Esme put her phone down knowing someone needed to break the news to the boy "What are we thinking, maybe we choose the wig first and let the character flow from there?"
"Jayden, we've been through this," Solana sings as she walks out of the living room to put away her rolled-up yoga mat
"Babe, 'moi' isn't getting a character," Esme breaks the news liking to just rip the bandaid
Claire on the other hand had a more gentle approach "Jayden, I love you. but you always go so big and you give the whole thing away"
"Yeah and not every character needs a tragic backstory and an accent," Solana truthfully tells the influencer who gives too much
"Maybe Jayden can do something small," Chelsea offers with a smile trying to be supportive as they've all been and not getting the memo
"Yes!" Jayden exclaims liking the support "Like that time I played a delivery man"
Remembering all too well Solana questions hands on hips, "Who you turned into an Oklahoma yokel who killed his own sister in a silo accident?"
"It was pretty hilarious," Esme smiles being one to break character after a big laugh
Jayden stands up straight looking off into the distance and with an accent runs his lines, "Pop told us not to play in there. but I just couldn't help myself. sign here to confirm receipt"
"Jayden's out!" Chelsea exclaims finally understanding making Jayden scoff "I'm sorry, it's just too important"
"Oh, fine!" Jayden shouts like a toddler who didn't know how to argue and storms away
At the plan having some foundation Chelsea couldn't help but get excited, "Okay, all right, the wheels are in motion, we'll get Margot in, she'll see my amazing life, and when she's squirming with envy..."
"I'll bring out the contract. The nail in the coffin," Solana confirms liking the notion of crushing someone's spirit
"And Margot will finally be jealous of me. I think this is actually going to work," Chelsea proudly and confidently says
"Wish you the best," Esme honestly says knowing while she was bummed not being a part of the plan she didn't want them to fail, and before leaving for her job she reminded them all to take down their drawn portraits from the refrigerator as it would be a quick give away that;
1. Chelsea had not lived in the house for long cause she didn't have a drawing and 2. she did not have a boyfriend or else the photo would be a couple portrait not single ones
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Esme took care of two different kids on separate days, both only children like her. Them having wealthy parents who worked their schedule around having days off to spend with their kid is what made working for them worth it. Plus to Esme, the kids were pretty cool
The worst part of the job was seeing the kids sad. So after picking up one of the kids early from school because they were having a bad day Esme couldn't help but worry when they didn't say a word other than "Hello"
The young man sat on the living room couch paying no attention to his favorite show playing on the big screen. Esme sits next to him, "What's wrong Beeman?"
"There's this dance at school..." Beeman - it's his last name and Esme finds it cute for the kid scared of bees - trails off grabbing some of the kettle corn settled between the two "I thought I'd ask someone"
"And just the thought of asking someone to the dance has put you in a bad mood?" Esme asks knowing she was never a fan of school dances and at his age the thought of asking someone out was horrifying. Even as an adult dating is hard and no dating apps never makes it easy or less scary
"Okay so I asked someone to the dance, but they of course said no"
"Of course? Why did you think they'd say no?"
"Because I obviously liked them more than they ever did!" Beeman exclaims having so many mixed feelings from that all he can understand as embarrassment "Now I've embarrassed myself and ruined the chance of ever remaining friends with them"
Suddenly feeling like she was seeing a mirrored version of her life Esme admits, "You're brave you know"
"No, I'm just dumb"
"You mister are not dumb. You were brave enough to tell someone you like that you like them! I know adults who shy away from that type of bravery. We are too scared of the what if's that we don't put ourselves out there or don't embrace the fact that we are able to feel love. You are brave Beeman and anyone who says otherwise, just send them my way"
"Even kids?" Beeman asks making Esme laugh
"Oh yeah, I'll put the fear of God into those kids that their parents will wanna talk to me"
"Have you ever... not been brave?" Beeman asks making Esme look at the kid who she knew needed the truth and not some half assed truth
"Yes"
"Is it the 'what if's' that's stopping you?" Beeman asks making Esme want to stop having the conversation with the kid
"Yeah, kid."
"Do you think it's possible to give you my bravery?"
At the question, Esme couldn't help but smile "No, but inspiring someone to be brave is possible"
And at that moment Esme promised herself to be brave, and confront Grant about her drunken confession. Her confidence was running high on the way home, the problem was that her roommates were trying to deceive Margot for Chelsea's benefit meant she couldn't go inside the house. Laying outside on the porch couch made Esme's confidence goes flat, slowly fading
Hearing someone running up the steps Esme sits up only to see a very energetic Jayden who looked like he was going to run into the house. Stand up ready to tackle the man Esme hesitantly questions, "Jayden?"
"I will not be excluded!" Jayden exclaims running towards the unlocked door with Esme quick on his heels
"Don't sign that bloody contract!" Jayden shouts in an Australian accent
"I'm sorry," Esme mouths as Solana and Chelsea covered her view of the guest
"This two-faced sheila of a book agent will double-cross you as soon as she gets the chance," Jayden continues his drunk act pointing theatrically at Solana
"Jayden!" Solana stands up needing him to shut up as they had just pulled their plan off in getting Margot to admit she was jealous of Chelsea
"I'm not Jayden, I'm Braden." Jayden announces in his fading accent walking further into the living room making Esme cover her face with her hands not being able to watch the train wreck happen "Braden Bathwater! The other book agent."
"Oh, God," Chelsea sobs not wanting to look behind her where Jayden stood before a sitting Margot
Grant leans into the couch and in a bad whisper says, "This is bad"
"What's happening? Why are you whispering? Are we done with the characters? Is Margot gone?" Jayden asks no longer in an accent only to finally notice the woman sitting on their couch and taps her shoulder, "Wait, who's she? Who are you?"
"Hi. I'm Margot." Margot laughs with a bright smile on her red lips as she shakes a dumbfounded Jayden's hand "And this is amazing! Oh, Chelsea, wow! What a to-do. And all so you could pretend that you wrote a book. Oh, how pathetic"
"Yes! You're right!" Chelsea admits with her head held high finally accepting her life
"Congratulations, Margot, you are still more successful than me. But you know what? Maybe I'm okay with that. Maybe I like working at the gym and the little beeping sound the thing makes when I swipe the cards, and maybe I like living with these people who care about me enough to do something this ridiculous. And maybe... maybe it's time for you to go... because I wanna watch The Bachelor"
Claire jumps up from her seat full of excitement, "You want to watch The Bachelor?"
"Yes!" Chelsea admits to her roommates "I'm tired of pretending to read while I watch it out of the corner of my eye!"
"Oh, reality television, how simple" Margot jabs on her moral high ground
"You fucken–" Esme starts out ready to fight the stranger but Chelsea stops her
"I got this," Chelsea turns to look at her high school nemesis taking steps towards her with each word making the raven-haired woman take steps back "I don't care what you think, Margot. I love everything about The Bachelor. The helicopter dates, the in-fighting. the verbal gymnastics of saying I love you without saying I love you."
Margot being back towards the door makes Grant open it as Chelsea pushes her out with her words, "The surprise concerts by obscure country music artists! And most of all, I love the sparkly dresses! Have a nice life, Margot!"
Chelsea slams the door on Margot and turning around she's faced with very proud roommates. The said roommates clap and celebrate the woman's breakthrough by pulling her into a group hug
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Per their Bachelor night, the roommates all watched the show and saw Jaydens inspiration of crashing the pretend dinner in the form of Hannah Z crawling through a window as to not be excluded from the group date.
As everyone starts to pick up their leftover food Esme walks over to Grant who was drying the dishes, "Grant, can we talk? O-outside?"
"Yeah" The boy answers by putting the plate and towel down on the table. Following her outside to their backyard Esme closes the door knowing her roommates were a nosey bunch without really trying to be
Esme nervously rubs her hands before turning to face the man, "I... I drunkenly admitted to being in love with you on my birthday and I just want to know if my declaration is why you keep putting distance between us"
"You remember?" Grant asks as the day after her birthday he tried to talk to her about it but she never caught on to his hints so he just thought she forgot or didn't want to talk about it. There was also the fact of what she did after admitting her feelings
"Not really," Esme answers scrunching her nose "Claire my have reminded me and she also told me I then kissed someone after telling you how I felt"
"That's why I didn't bring it up." Grant scratches the back of his head not being able to help having his feelings hurt when she kissed someone right after admitting her feelings "You kissed some stranger and so I thought maybe you didn't mean it"
"I did mean it." Esme whispers feeling her insides all shrivel away like her confidence and bravery but already being there Esme wanted to see it through so she clearly and soberly admits, "Grant, I love you. Like I can't stop loving you and trust me I have tried to get you out of my head and heart but I'm done not being brave. So I had to soberly tell you even if you don't feel the same way"
Not knowing what to say Grant does what's easy which is to apologize, "I'm sorry"
"Don't" Esme shakes her head biting her bottom lip so she won't cry "I don't want an apology, just– just don't stop being my friend"
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a/n: is anyone reading this?