«not edited»
jayus (n.) a joke told so poorly and so unfunny that one cannot help but laugh
[origin : indonesian]
d e c e m b e r e l e v e n t h
m o n d a y
I woke up to the loud blaring of 'Downtown Love' by G-Eazy. Blake better have a damn good reason for calling at whatever ungodly hour it is, my alarm hadn't even rang yet! I pulled my duvet over my head, hoping he'll stop calling and my phone will stop ringing, but to no avail. My eyes were now wide open, my body fully awake as I groaned and grabbed my phone from the nightstand.
"What do you want, Everett?" I asked, my voice thick of sleep. I grab my glasses as well, putting them on to see the time and my eyes widened. 5:37am. It was 5:37am and and Blake Everett was calling me. And I was fully awake for him at this hour.
"Adri," his voice came out as a helpless cry.
"Blake, what's wrong?" My voice grew concerned, my previous thoughts forgotten.
"Adri, come over, please," he pleaded desperately.
"I'm on my way," I rushed out, already getting off my bed and making it up messily. I put my phone on speaker, listening to his uneven breathing and changed into the first thing I pulled out of my closet, a pair of black and white Nike shorts and a matching Nike windbreaker along with white Nike running shoes. I grabbed my backpack and threw inside my laptop, writing notebook, pencil case, charger, headphones, and a water bottle. Running downstairs, I scribbled a note for my dad and grabbed a peach to eat on the way.
"I'm coming Blake," I said more anxiously, getting into my Audi, starting the engine and driving the empty roads.
My movements were all rushed as I got out of my car and almost tripped, running up to the Worthington's front door and opening it with the key Blake had give me some time ago. Entering the mansion, it was like hell itself. The mansion was as good as pitch black, all curtains were drawn close, there was not a single light on, not a single candle lighting, and as much as I could make out, the gang was situated in the living room. I carefully made my way over to them, trying to avoid knocking into anything, or anyone. But of course, my luck is worse than my grades in Andrelli's class and I let out a loud yelp as I came into contact with something.
"Hey, sorry Adri," came Marlowe's tired and hushed voice.
"That's okay," I replied just as quietly and looked around the living room. Blake and Judah were the only figures - aside from Marl - I could make out. Phoenix was most definitely not there, Pyper wasn't there, and I was pretty sure Talon was with her. I walked over to Blake and took a seat next to him on the couch. His face was tear streaked and there was only a mournful look on his face.
"Blake, what happened," I ask in a quiet and soothing voice. Instead of replying, he shook his head, his body trembling slightly as tears ran down his face. He laid his head on my lap and just cried. Well isn't this lovely. It was silent, all that was heard was Blake's quiet cries as the three of us just watched. Either Judah and Marl knew what was up and wasn't speaking or they didn't and we're clueless like me. Probably not the latter.
§
t h r e e h o u r s l a t e r
The idea of school just seemed lost today. The house was silent as I was reading Wuthering Heights and Blake fell asleep on my lap, Marl fell asleep on the couch across from us, and Judah fell asleep on the dining table on his notebooks while working on some assignments.
The silence was broken moments later when Pyper came into view with Talon behind her. Sadly and truthfully, the girl looked like hell and Talon looked no better - tired, and desperate for some rest. She let out a shriek like sound and practically threw herself on me. I awkwardly wrapped one arm around her and held her close to my embrace. It was quite difficult to hug someone when you had a particularly large boy sleeping on you. She pulled away and wore a teary smile on her face and Marl and Blake woke up looking pretty lost and confused.
"I'll make you guys breakfast," I said quietly, getting up after Blake got off me. The atmosphere became awkward and a bit tense and I did not want to be in that.
I went in their fridge ready to ransack and make something, anything that was particularly vibrant in color while also being healthy. Cantaloupe. I saw it and decided to make melon with mint and peanuts. I took out seven plates and got out mint leaves from the fridge
and peanuts from the cupboard.
Once I finished, I put a cup of coconut yogurt on the plate along with a cup of freshly brewed Earl Grey tea at the side to go with each plate. It was 10:30 now and the gang - except Phoenix - were all up in the living room. The quiet murmur of their voices were heard as I entered, balancing six plates on my arms. Wonders I didn't drop any, I should be a waitress.
"I'll be right back with the tea," I rushed out, disappearing once again. It didn't look like Phoenix was coming out of his room anytime soon, so I decided to take breakfast to him. The gang didn't stop me once they saw the direction I was headed to, but they certainly stared.
Entering his room, it was like a wave of depression hit me. It was pitch black, the blinds were close shut, and the room was an utter mess. And he himself was sleeping soundly in the middle of his king size bed, stripped all the way down and was only wearing Calvin boxers. I was frozen momentarily, admiring the ink all over his skin. From his neck down to his ankles, his skin was covered with different patterns, designs, words, and there was certainly a story to go along with them. The numerous tattoos on Phoenix Worthington should've scared me away, should've been a warning sign for to run, but instead I found myself wanting to get closer. Phoenix Worthington was the in truth the gasoline while I was the match, the match that would be lit by him, and him alone. We would burst into flames, crash, and inevitably burn, but never I had felt more tempted to dance in the fire, in the ashes.
I didn't wake him and instead left the plate and cup of tea on his nightstand.
§
5:32 pm
The day went on, nothing really changing whatsoever. It was 5:32 now and Phoenix has not once come out of his room. The rest of us hung out in the living room, talking and laughing. The more we talked throughout the day, the more a light seemed to shine in the Worthington's mansion.
We all succumbed to quietness again, becoming lost in our own worlds. I decided to get up and check on Phoenix, though it would probably be the stupidest choice I'd ever make. I wasn't ready to be on the receiving end of his bullshit if he was angry.
Knocking on his door, I wasn't expecting a reply, but I was surprised when I got one.
"Come in," came his muffled voice. I slowly opened his door, poking my head in shyly. I wasn't sure what was coming my way. He was dressed in just a pair of lowly hung joggers and I could see the waistband of his Calvins too. Not only that, but I could perfectly see the soft ripples of his back muscles that were covered in inkHe was looking out his window, giving him a view of the pool in the back along with the beginning of the sunset, his hands in his pocket. He turned around and I hadn't noticed since I was too busy practically eye raping him.
"Adrianna," he breathed out.
"Phoenix, h-hi," I stuttered.
"You made breakfast?" He asked, slowly walking up to me.
"Yes, I did," my voice a mere whisper.
"It was one of the best plates I had, thank you, étoile filante," he smiled warmly.
"Oh thank you," I smiled back. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me in close. And then he placed a lingering kiss on my forehead. He pulled away with a melancholic look.
His hand trailed lower and his eyes darkened and I suddenly felt out of place and uncomfortable. Today was clearly not a day for the Worthington's and I couldn't help but feel like I was getting way too intimate with Phoenix Worthington at the wrong time. If intimate is what you'd call it, he barely even likes me.
"I have to make dinner," I said with a strong voice and pulled away from him all together. He cleared his throat and blinked a few times as if he was just realising what he was just doing.
"Right, you do that," he said sounding unsurely.
§
Two hours later, I had prepared whiskey glazed steak with shoestring potatoes. I gave everyone a plate before going back into the kitchen to pour a glass of peach cobbler moonshine for all of them.
Plate and glass in hand, I headed for Phoenix's once again. Just as I walked in I heard the water of the shower turn off. Fuck. I placed his dinner on his desk before leaving his room - who am I kidding? I ran the hell out of that room. I didn't want to face him? I didn't know what I felt in the moment but I knew for sure if I tried to talk to him, he'd either yell at me, or completely shut me out.
I walked back into the kitchen, suddenly feeling drained of everything as I thought of him and took a plate of food for myself before settling on a bar stool on the island counter. I pulled out my laptop from my bag and opened it, planning to do an assignment of some sort. If my mind stops wandering to fucking Narnia.
———
d e c e m b e r t w e n t i e t h
w e d n e s d a y
m a r o o n d a y
We all walk together after the bell rings straight to the cafeteria, to our table. We didn't even bother to stop by our lockers; Phoenix was on my right, Blake on my left, no one was talking and there was an eerie silence to our gang. You could feel the anger radiating off of Phoenix and I in waves. And Pyper, but she didn't seem to care half as much as we did.
A fucking 64.
That's failing, and I have no idea what Phoenix got, but he was just as mad, if not, more.
Looks like Adrianna Vasiliev, AP Calc's golden girl just lost her golden streak.
We strode past everyone, and we turned heads, but of course, we paid no attention whatsoever. My mind went back to what Pierce, our calc teacher said. 'Don't make a big deal about it, and don't stress it. We still have about three tests before the marking period's over.' But how could I not stress?
We got to our table and I just slammed my books down and walked off, not waiting on Pyper or the guys. Everything was hitting me at once, I realised, as I walked to the lunch line - anxiety, anger, and worry. I managed to smile a small smile at the lunch lady as I ordered.
"Can I have the spinach and cheese stuffed shells, thank you." She nodded and got right to it. As I was waiting, a pair of arms wrapped around my waist and I immediately leaned back, feeling safe in the welcoming and known presence. His head lowered and he mouth was right near my ear. I felt his warm breath down the column of neck and I involuntarily shivered.
"Étoile filante," came his breathy voice.
"Phoenix," I replied in the same tone.
"Don't be upset, I'm sure I did worse than you," he said softly and I slightly turned my head to look at him, smiling like an idiot. What the fuck is wrong with me? Send help.
"That's the biggest lie I've ever heard," I laughed softly, and before he could reply the lunch lady returned.
"Here you go, darling," she smiled as I took my tray and pulled away from Phoenix, mumbling a thank you. I was kind of upset she ruined my moment with Phoenix, but before I could walk off, Phoenix tugged on my hand, pulling me right back into his embrace. The lunch lady was gone once again - probably to get his lunch - and I was surprised I hadn't dropped my tray, which was only being held by my right hand. My back was aligned with his chest and he held my left hand in his, never letting go. Together, he trailed our hands down the side of my body, stopping at my hipbone. He dipped his head low to my ear again.
"Stay with me, love," he whispered, and I didn't have time to answer as the lunch lady came back with his tray. He had Alfredo fettuccini with shrimp.
"Mr. Worthington," she smiled. He took the tray and said thank you with a smile. He still didn't let go of my hand as he led us to the cashier to pay for our food.
"Phoenix Worthington! How are you?" The older lady asked, with an eye crinkling smile.
"I'm great, Caterina."
"Oh and can you also add Adrianna's lunch into my account?"
"Sure," she answered as she tapped into the computer. Seconds later, my eyes widened at what he just did.
"What? Phoenix! No!" I whined, but he didn't spare a glance my way. "Don't worry about her," he brushed me off with a short laugh.
"Okay, $7.29," she said and he handed her a ten dollar bill, "You can leave the change in my account," he added before whisking me away. He held my hand and we walked side by side, and he was making it clearly visible to all others in the cafeteria. And as we approached the table, the gang eyed us incredulously.
"What the hell? You guys looked ready to murder someone only minutes ago," Marl eyed our intertwined hands.
"Are y'all like together now?" Judah asked and I saw look of jealously flash in his eyes. The same time Phoenix said 'yes' I rushed out a 'no.' They all just stared at us with expecting looks and instead of answering, we just took our seats. He was very close to me, our thighs touching, along with our shoulders. I don't know why he was being so nice to me but I wasn't complaining.
I began to eat and Pyper started up a conversation but my mind wandered off. Thoughts evaded my mind and at this point I wasn't even sure what the hell I was thinking. That is, until Phoenix broke me out out my thoughts. He placed a firm hand on my thigh, and though I had on joggers, I still felt shocks run through my body just from his touch. I leaned over to him, my lips right near his ear, "Thanks Worthington," my voice was airy. I didn't wait for his answer, and I just leaned back and looked at the food on my tray. I didn't know what to expect from him, but I surely wasn't ready for what he did.
He turned his head and lowered it so his mouth was near my ear, "Don't worry about it." His voice was low and husky and he didn't stop there. He intertwined his hand hand with mine and he bit my earlobe softly, and then proceeded to place warm kisses down the column of my neck. I leaned into him, not realising, and he took me to a sweet state of euphoria without doing much. His hot, wet lips on my collarbone sent me over the edge. I took my hands in mine, intertwining them, "Phoenix," my voice was quiet and it came out like a moan. Exactly what I didn't want.
"Adrianna," his voice was rough.
"We-we're in public, in the cafeteria."
"So?"I felt him smirk against my skin. He had stopped now and he had his face nuzzled in my neck. I turned my head slightly and looked down at my lap where I played with his hand. I felt eyes on us but for some reason, I couldn't care less.
"My étoile filante," he said softly, picking his head up. Our eyes flickered to the crew, but they seemed oblivious as hell. He shook his head and turned to face me and his shoulders so broad, he blocked them off from us. We were in out own world, our own dimension. He took my hand back in his.
"So, are you okay?" He asked, his eyes glistening with worry.
"What do you mean?" I ask, utterly confused.
"With calculus?" He asked with uncertainty.
"Oh," I rolled my eyes, "I don't know," I frown.
"Well, what'd you get?"
"A grade," I said flatly.
"No really," he said with sarcasm.
Oh, yes!" I exclaim obnoxiously.
"Adriannaaa," he whined.
"Why do you wanna know," I whine back, jutting out my bottom lip. He just looked at my blankly.
"No," I almost cry out and cover my face with my hands. He gently pried them from my face, "What's wrong?"
"If I told you, you'd think I'm stupid. And that I probably shouldn't be in calc."
"That's not true, Adrianna. At all," he said gently.
"Yes it is," I said in my soft voice.
"Adrianna, I have never and would never think that of you," his eyes held an immense amount of sincerity. I pouted and pulled my hands away from his, going for my folder.
"I got a 64," I mutter as I handed him the test. He took it and wrapped his right arm around my waist as he flipped through the test once and laughed.
"I got a 52, I don't think you've got anything to worry about," he smiled boyishly at me. My jaw dropped and I stared at him wide eyed.
"You got a what?"
"Oh, yes, you heard me," he smiled unbelievably wide as he put my test faced down on the table and pulled out his to show me. And true to his word, on the top was a fifty two.
"Alright, let's see what we got wrong," he held both of our tests in his hands while keeping his arm around my waist. I rested my head on his shoulder and we flipped through the test. We realized what I got right, he got wrong, and what he got right, I got wrong. And because I got a few more right than he did, I was explaining half of the problems to him. He kept looking at my incredulously and muttering 'what the hell?' I laughed at him as we we went over the last question, the ten point question, that he got completely wrong.
"This is bullshit," he whined and turned his face, hiding it in my neck. I laughed melodiously and my hand threaded through his luscious hair at the back of his head and my head rested on his. I inhaled his scent, musky, minty, and like spice. If only I knew that would become my new favorite scent; it would become the only thing that was home to me. And I exhaled in bliss and smiled, closing my eyes, only to have them open not even a second later.
"Adri?" Came Pyper's voice. I picked up my head, but didn't move my hand from his hair and I craned my head a bit to see her.
"Huh?" I didn't miss the looks on their faces and I knew they had just about a million and one questions to ask.
"When's your birthday?" Marlowe asked, "And when did you two start dating," he pointed two accusing fingers at us.
"We aren't dating," I deadpanned.
"Sure," Talon grinned obnoxiously.
"Ma'am, your birthday?" Marl asked with a perfectly arched eyebrow.
"Who's asking," I challenge back, raising a brow.
"Oh my god woman, when is it," he ask exasperatedly.
I smile, "February."
"February what," he almost yelled and I giggle.
"February fourteenth."
"Oh, Valentine's baby," he winked and looked back down at his food. The other guys and Pyper just stared at me and their jaws dropped simultaneously. Marlowe's head snapped in my direction and even Phoenix picked up his head and stared at me. My hand stayed mid air from where it was in his hair.
"What?"
"You said February fourteenth?" Marlowe asked.
"Yea?"
"Well shit," Talon said lowly.
"What," I said a bit more irritated.
"Honey we have the same birthday," Marlowe squealed. What the hell?
"No way!" I yell excitedly and everyone started laughing at our exchange.
"We needa do something then," Blake said.
Judah didn't say a word, he just jumped on our table, "Ay, everyone, clear your bloody schedules, there's a party at the Worthington's mansion on February seventeenth. Be there!" His voice bellowed and he jumped off the table and back into his seat as if his nothing just happened. I couldn't tell if it sunk in or not but the feeling of knowing I had a party to look forward to for my 18th was exhilarating. The cafeteria went up in hoots and yells of excitement.
"Oh my god, this is about the be the biggest party of the year," Pyper screamed with a face splitting smile on her face.
"Adrianna, if you didn't know, we're quite notorious for the parties we throw," Phoenix smirked.
———
d e c e m b e r t w e n t y s e c o n d
f r i d a y
I woke up to the sound of my alarm and I groan when I feel the pounding headache starting up in my head. I sat up, my eyes immediately falling to my violin on the floor and I groan once again. I had been practicing incessantly when I got home from school last night to four this morning - which was only an hour ago. Weeks leading up to this Christmas concert, despite whatever was going on with the Worthington's, our orchestra has practiced unbelievably vigorously. We've played through the morning announcements, and hours ongoing. We'd go past the bell, skipping our next class, showing up late to our next class, and the orchestra room had become everyone's second home. There was nothing more important than this concert. Here we are now, the day of the grand performance. And there was no going back.
Phoenix had gotten first chair, and I had gotten the solo, standing to the right of our maestro. We were performing three concertos; Beethoven's Für Elise, Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46 "Morning Mood," and Vivaldi's Concerto in A Minor. I was playing the solo for all three pieces and though I could play them as well as perfect, I was still dreading it. I got up from bed a bit groggily and packed up my instrument and made my bed. I got my dress from my closet, a black silk with a small slit down the leg and the back was a gold shimmer bodice in a halter style. Along with the dress, I got out a pair of gold that I kept for special occasions - my Eden pump, vintage pink with rose gold leaves. I was going to go light with jewellery, just a Kendra Scott on my neck and my thin gold plated necklace I always wore, and my two diamond eternity rings. I walked into my en suite, slipping out of my clothes and getting into the shower.
§
"Where the hell is Adrianna?!" I heard Alana's voice yelling frantically as I walked down the isolated hall to the orchestra room.
"She's supposed to be here already," she yelled on, sounding stressed at the end. Hm, maybe I should walk slower and stress them out some more. But the ethical part of me made me walk faster and run into the room. Still, I made some sort of grand entrance as everyone's head turned in my direction and they all stared at me. I was stuck in my spot, right in the middle of the doorway, my hands holding onto either side of the door frame, and my eyes glazed over in happiness as I scanned the room and saw everyone dressed in their black and white suits and black dresses. But when my eyes fell upon Phoenix and our gazes locked, I just could not look away. He looked godly, divine. Decked out in a full tailored and very expensive looking charcoal suit, he was mouthwatering to say the least.
He smiled, showing off his white pearls and I smiled back, not once thinking of all the eyes watching in our exchange. I was so lost in him, I hadn't even noticed Marlowe standing feet away from me, Canon in hand, taking candid shots of me.
"Adrianna, you're here, god bless," Ms. Rose ran up to me in a frenzy, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Yes, I'm here, you can relax," I laugh lightly. I really did feel bad for her, here I was giving her a heart attack showing up late, and she's only been putting her everything into this.
"Well, come on then, get unpacked, tune your violin if you need to, and everyone," she turned to face everyone in the room, "get into your chairs, Adrianna get in your place, we need to run through all three one final time," she said before walking away from me. I looked her outfit - a formal long black lace dress - and smiled, she was beautiful, and young, but she stressed far too much.
Everyone was working their way around the room, tuning their instruments, rosining their bows, making sure their music was together in their folders. It was 8:30 now, our performance was in less than an hour. I grabbed a near by chair to put my violin case and begin unpacking. I was the only one left standing, and the only one that would be standing, and I began to tune my A and E string when someone came up to me.
"You look wondrous, Adrianna," he said, oozing with confidence, a bit of a rough accent in his voice. My cheeks immediately tint a deep pink and I looked up to meet his eyes.
"You don't look too bad yourself, Phoenix," I replied, my voice coming out a mere whisper. In truth, I lacked the confidence he had because clearly what I meant to say was he looked jaw dropping and sublime, though the look on his face was purely wicked. But hell, if I didn't love it.
I stood up to my full height, violin in my left hand, bow in my right, yet I still had to look up in order to meet his eyes, any he was always look down at me. His arm reached out and he rested it lightly on my waist. His eyes shined with some sort of emotion I couldn't quite decipher and there were no words needed.
"Adrianna, Phoenix, you guys can flirt later, we need to run through the pieces for the performance that is," pause, "in less than forty five minutes. Come on!" Ms. Rose interrupted.
"Oh my god," I mutter as my face heats up terribly quick while Phoenix just laughs a deep, throaty laugh. He keeps his arm around my waist as he walks us to my place to the right of Alana before going to his chair.
•••
I watch backstage as our orchestra is situating themselves on stage. The auditorium is bubbling with lively chatter and I pinpoint my dad in the middle of the mass of people, a whole Canon in his hand, playing around with it. He's really going to video this entire performance. Oh dear god help me.
Once everyone's seated and they have their instruments in rest position, the audience quiets down as well and the spotlights adjust to focus on us. Here's to nothing and everything.
Ms. Rose walks out on stage and the orchestra stands up while the audience applauds.
"Good morning everyone! Please help me as we call out our concert mistress and soloist, Adrianna Vasiliev," and I walk out on stage with a wide smile plastered on my face. Now, of course, my father's gonna be, well, my father, but what I most certainly did not expect him to do was stand up and yell and hoot loudly for me. God, if you're up there, I apologise for all the sins I have sinned. Does that even make sense? Please stop my father. I do a small bow in my place and continue smiling at the audience as they clap.
"Now, may everyone stand for the Pledge of Allegiance," Alana said.
Once it was recited and everyone took their seats, we got into the first piece. And I closed my eyes and got lost in the sound.
§
d a y a f t e r
d e c e m b e r t w e n t y t h i r d
s a t u r d a y
School was out, we were on break until January 2nd, Christmas was in two days. Oh, and there's a formal party at the Worthington's mansion. Tonight.
Word about this party had gotten around yesterday after our showcase, and it remained the talk of the day along with my performance as a soloist. The concert, by far, was one of the biggest successes we had and a lofty win for us as performers. Everyone loved the concert, between orchestra, chorus, and band, it was perfect. This party was now for us to chill the hell out and let loose, however, being it a formal party, their were specific invitations sent. Guess the Worthington's are notorious after all.
—
Decked out and dolled up in a black sequin bodycon dress that pooled at the ground and black Christian Louboutins, I was ready to grab champagne, something, and let go of the fucking nerves that have yet to leave my soul. However, Pyper was taking her sweet slow ass time finishing up the last touches of her makeup and I refuse to walk down the spiral staircase myself. Don't wanna make yet another grand entrance do I. And I wasn't sure who was invited to this party, so I really wasn't looking to make some 'grand' entrance to strangers' eyes.
Finally, after ten agonising minutes, she was finished.
"Ready?" She asked, her lips popping with the blood red lip stick she painted on.
"No," I said sarcastically, "I've just been standing here, on my phone, because I'm looking for a whole other dress to change into."
She laughed languidly, "Adri, chill, I know you're wracked of your own nerves and you're dying to get your hands on a bottle of something, though I don't see the purpose if it doesn't get you drunk, so let's go," she held out her elbow. I smiled, linking my elbow with hers.
Making our way down the stairs, heads turned our way, jaws dropped, and eyes stayed frozen on us. And then, of course, there were some wolf whistles. Phoenix walked into the room at the same time, talk about perfect fucking timing, and his eyes fell upon me. His eyes raked up and down my body and as Pyper and I stepped off the last step, she pulled away from me and out of the corner of my eye, I saw her walk up to Talon. My eyes followed Phoenix's as he went up and down my body, slowly undressing me, and I began to slowly rake my eyes all over his body. Dressed in a black suit with white dress shirt, he finished it off with a silky black tie and shiny black, pointed dress shoes. With a champagne glass in his right hand, holding out his left hand for me, he looked every bit professional, and everything about him screamed powerful.
"Adrianna, you look like a bloody goddess," he breathed out as I took his hand. He whisked me away to the kitchen, pulling me flush against his body and whispering in my ear, "And you are most definitely staying by my side tonight, étoile filante."
•
(^^^ adri's eden pumps for the concert)
(^^^ alana rose's dress for the concert)
(^^^ adri's dress for worthington's fancy party)
———
phoenix is being nice. i thought he was a brooding bastard though?