Captured in a Flash

"Douglas Howley? That's the designer's name?" City asks, finally reachin' for her coffee as she pops the question. I ain't rightly sure why, but she still seems a mite on edge. Reckon Thursday was more'n we bargained for. Maybe I shouldn't've given her a slot at all.
"Yes. Douglas Howley. He works for Waterpass Outlet." I start, watchin' ever' little move City makes, makin' sure it was just a trick of the light I saw. It… ain't lookin' too good the more I watch. Maybe I oughta ask 'bout it 'fore she heads off. "I tried to get Douglas on board a few weeks ago but he wanted to see you in action first. He liked what he saw, so we're working with him for our next shoot. 'Autumn chic' is the theme." City takes a sip of her coffee as I wrap up. She's chewin' on what I said. Good. I like that 'bout her. Sharp. Calculatin'. Always good traits to have.
"When are we heading out to Lincoln Park? I know it's after Halloween, but specifics wouldn't hurt." She then asks me, wantin' to git the lowdown on the shoot 'fore we git started. Ain't no harm in tellin' her, I reckon.
"The 6th. I told Kati to use an AstrHori 6mm f2.8 fisheye. She should be getting it later today." I say, watchin' City's ears kinda droop when she hears our camera gal's name. Yeah, no, somethin's up with her. And I gotta find out what. Seein' both City and Kati like this ain't sittin' right with me.

It gets quiet for a few seconds 'fore I decide to push.

"Is everything alright with you? You've been acting odd ever since that performance at the fashion show last Thursday."

Gold City draws in a deep breath, takin' her sweet time pickin' her words real careful. I got a hunch she's gonna feed me a line like Kati did on Friday. But it ain't like that day- I can't let this slide. I gotta know what's up with City. A flustered camera gal I can work with, long as it don't turn into a whole mess. But a flustered model? That just ain't gonna work. After a spell, City pipes up.
"I… I want to say that I'm fine, but that wouldn't be honest now would it?" She says, reckonin' that I'd see right through that tale somehow. I done sold her short.
"No… It wouldn't…" I say, voice sly but warm as I see City get to thinin' again. Don't take her long to pipe up. She finds the words quicker.

"My mind has been… wandering whenever it can. And there's not really much I can do to stop it when it does. It's hard to focus. Hard to concentrate. Hard to work. C'est très frustrant. (It is very frustrating)" She's tellin me, watchin' my eyes close to size up how I'm takin' it, See if I can be a shoulder to lean on, so to speak.
"I imagine it would be frustrating." I say, reckonin' that I give City a minute to chew on it, If she's fixin; to tell me somethin' that's hush-hush, I wanna make sure she's alright with it, but I pipe up again first. "Care to tell me about these things? About what's going on in your head?" She takes another deep breath, tryin' to find the right words to say, So when she does pipe up, I'm a mite let down.
"Not at the moment. It's not that I don't trust you, Randy. I just… I don't want to strain any working relationships." She says, lettin' honesty drive, and I can't say I blame her for not wantin' to talk it out, 'cause I can't. It's perfectly understandable, perfectly reasonable. Though with that said…
"I see... I won't push the issue then. Though I do hope that you tell me at some point. I like to think that you can trust me with… touchy subjects. What I don't want is to lose you because your own mind is tormenting you. I've had that happen before and… It wasn't pretty." I tell her, watchin' her ears perk up slow, that confidence f hers comin' back to her as she just nods, tellin' me she's fine with that notion 'fore I say one last thing. "I'll see if I can't get Douglas to sne a few articles to me on Halloween. I'll then get them to you the next day. Sound like a plan?"
"So I won't have to worry about the rest of the month? I like that plan. Arigato. (Thank you)" City says, standin' up as she talks and walkin off, endin' our little meetin'. I then pack up some of my stuff and head back into the Flatiron, wantin' to get some logistics done 'fore anythin' else. I make my way through the lobby to the elevator quick like, punchin' the button for the lift to come down. The lift comes down, the door opens and I punch the button for the seventh floor, waitin' a few seconds as it goes up. The door come open agin and I step on out, headin' on to my apartment. I stick the key in the lock and turn it, push the door open and walk in, sittin' down on the sofa and gettin' my laptop out.

'Call Douglas tomorrow. Ask about articles of clothing for photoshoot. See about having them sent by by Halloween.'

I read back over that note I just wrote out, tickeld pink with my little scheme. It's a real shame Lydia couldn't pull through on this one. I'da loved to see what she'd come up with, She did say she can make it up to me, though. Maybe the week after.

'Call Lydia about week after Lincoln Park shoot.'

I read that note back, and I was right pleased with it too. Then a lil' notification pops up on my phone. It's Lydia textin' me. No harm in seein' what she's got to say, I reckon. I hop over to the messenger app and take a gander at what she sent.

Lydia J: Hey, sorry again for not being able to do anything for the shoot at Lincoln Park.
Randy M: Don't worry about it, Lydia. Things happen.
Lydia J: I know, but I do want to make it up to you.
Randy M: So you said. I wouldn't mind that. Maybe something for the week after that shoot.
Lydia J: That's perfect, actually. I have this beautiful, red peacoat I've been wanting to have shown off for a while and I think Gold City would love to use it.
Randy M: Let me see it.

Lydia then sends me a picture of that coat, and it sho' do look right nice. Yeah, City gon' be tickled pink with this 'un.

Randy M: Methinks she'll love it.
Lydia J: Methinks I appreciate that. I can send it over after Halloween if that's alright with you.
Randy M: Fine by me. Thanks, Lydia.
Lydia J: No problem, Randy. And tell Bre I said hi if you see her. Been a while since I last talked to her.

Yeah, I'm all for that, givin' that message a 'thumbs up' as I tuck the thought away in the back of my mind while I turn my focus back to the laptop. 'Call Douglas tomorrow.' Good call, that. And now we're gettin' everything lined up for the long haul, just like I did Thursday mornin' up at the Empire State Building. Always a good move to get your ducks in a row early so you ain't sweatin' later on. Precis som mamma alltid sa till mig. (Just like mom always told me)

|-Later that morning. Shakespeare Garden, Central Park, 79th Street Transverse-|

Iki o sutte. Fukaku te hikui. Ima kono shunkan ni shūchū shimashō. (Breathe in. Deep and low. Focus on the moment)
Iki o sutte. Fukaku te hikui. Ima kono shunkan ni shūchū shimashō. (Breathe in. Deep and low. Focus on the moment)
Iki o sutte. Fukaku te hikui. Ima kono shunkan ni shūchū shimashō. (Breathe in. Deep and low. Focus on the moment)

No matter how much I repeat that mantra, things still… aren't clicking into place. The things that have run throuh my mind since Thursday only grow in number. And I hate it. Not because I am afraid or because I hate the prospect of being queer. Bien loin. (Far from it) Rather, because these thoughts get in the way of me understanding why I feel this way towards Kati. If I am to accept the fact that I am bisexual and can be in a relationship with another woman, be it romantic, sexual or both, then I need to understand the why. Everything else is moot otherwise. So here I sit in Central Park, at the Shakespeare Garden, trying to escape from all my mental troubles for now. The converstaion earlier this morning keeps coming back to me. I wish that I felt comfortable telling Randy this. That I feel something for Kati. But I can't. I don't feel comfortable with that. How would I start explaining this? Where do I start and end? And of course, it would severely complicate my working relationship with her and with Randy.

Another deep breath comes and goes, entering my lungs before being exhaled just as swiftly as it entered. Maybe a change of scenery could help. I get up and start wandering, passing Belvedere Castle as I walk south-east, mind still wandering on its own as it has been for the past few days. The cool Autumn breeze blows by, slight goosebumps raising on what skin is exposed as I see the art museum through the trees. Trees that are gradually losing their leaves. Sore wa… to yū kanji desu... shōchō-teki na. (That feels… symbolic.) I decide to make my way towards the museum, eyeing an obelisk nearby. This could be nice. I walk over, noticing that it is covered in Egyptian hieoroglyphics. Seems fitting for an art museum. I make my way towards a bench, sitting down and simply staring at the obelisk, closing my eyes and repeating the mantra once more to see if this change of scenery will help.

"Well I'll be damned."

My eyes shoot open, looking around to see who the voice belonged to, though I have a sneaking suspicion who it's owner is. Masculine, gruff yet with a tinge of compassion hidden underneath.I know who this is, even if I haven't interacted with him all that much.
"Fancy seeing you here, Meteor Hammer." I say as I finally spot him. For someone as tall as he is, he can be surprisingly adept at hiding. "Never took art to be something that interested you."
"I was just walkin by." He says as he approaches, large frame swaying gently as he does so. He stands opposite me, putting some distance between us. Understandable. I've only known for for a little over a week. Though if I want to nurture something more with Kati, maybe Meteor Hammer could help.
"Just 'walking by'? Is that how you justify crashing any of Kati's outings, Meteor Hammer?" I ask, watching his facial expression scowl slightly.
"Just call me 'Met'. And it's not my fault I keep findin her at bad times." Met says with a chuckle. I can't tell why, but there's something in his eyes. Something that sees right through me. That same silver-purple gaze from when he came by Kati's apartment that night. Like then, it's almost as if he can physically see what is going through my head. Far more analytical than simply reading body language. "Somethin's botherin you. Seemed to start… Thursday night? I'm not wrong, am I?" He then asks, testing his luck and prodding. Once again, I'm in a tough situation.

"It's not… something I'm particularly comfortable talking about." I say, giving the same excuse to Met. He takes a deep breath, seemingly understanding my discomfort. His gaze seems to soften as well.
"Can't say I blame you. You looked pretty flustered when Kati snuck us backstage. Guess nerves got the better of you?" He says, placing his hands on the railing that surrounds the obelisk. "What are you comfortable with sharin, if you don't me askin."
"I feel… exhausted. My mind is constantly wandering off whenever it gets the chance and I… It's not exactly something I'm used to." I say, a small chuckle escaping my lips as I watch Met sublty shift his position.
"I can tell. I certainly would be if I were in your shoes. Somethin like Thursday night… That would shake me too." He says, now crossing his arms across his chest, a stray leaf blowing across the space, landing on his shoulder, obscuring one of the patches that has been sewn into his vest.
"How do you deal with these kinds of things, Met?" I ask, watching as he unfodls his arms and starts to approach me, eventually sitting down on the same bench, once again keeping a respectable distance from me.
"Now that… That is… Một câu hỏi hay. (A great question)" He starts, leaning forwards as he thinks. It takes a few seconds for thim to respond, but he does. "I can't say if this will work at all, but if it help, you could try focusin on good memories and experiences. Things that made you feel happy and content. Usually works for me." It's an interesting proposition. Thinking about the past, but for good reasons. Cela fait certainement du sens d'une certaine perspective. (It certainly makes sense from a certain perspectives) "Wanna give it a try?" I hear Met ask, and I turn to face him, unsure in the moment.
"I don't know. What if it doesn't work?" I ask in return, watching those silver and purple eyes flick between me and the obelisk in front of us. They then settle on me as he speaks up.
"Then we try a different angle. What that angle is… Well, learn by doin, right?" He says as he stands, walking back towards the obelisk, back turned to me as he looks it up and down. "That's what's tricky about this. It works differently dependin on the person. For a whole host of reasons. Upbringing, nationality, ethnicity, sexuality." He turns back to face me for a moment, smirk on his face, facial hair turning with it. "Gender." He turns his face back to the obelisk.

I deicide to take the plunge. I take one last deep breath and close my eyes, head tilting slightly as the memory comes to me. Heh… Woodbine Beach in Toronto. Last time Mama and Père seemed to be truly happy before their divorce. Before Mama took me with her back to Hokkaido. It's fuzzy at first, but the details become clear as I think about it more. Me and Mama playing volleyball while Père and a baby Victor watch. Looks like I was winning, but Mama was always better than me. She could snatch victory from the jaws of defeat like no one else. And for a moment, I feel at peace. Chanto ugokimasu. (It works) I open my eyes, seeing Met standing in front of me. Still keeping distance between us, but not as much as there was when he arrived.

"How we feelin?" He asks as I stand.
"Better. Much better. Though… I don't know if it will be reliable." I say, watching Met chuckle again before he responds.
"Preoccupazione comprensibile. (Understandable concern) It won't always be. Hence why you have alternatives at the ready." He responds as he starts walking away. A little annoying. Walking awau like that before I can properly thank him.
"I-Well thank you." I say, getting his attention. But he doesn't turn around.
"You can save that for later. Somethin tells me this won't be the last time this happens." He says as he keeps walking, tall frame growing smaller with each of his long strides. "I've got a friend to meet up with."
"A friend? How quaint. The war horse is capable of making friends. I never would have guessed." I say as he moves farther from ear shot.
"You wouldn't want her to know you said that about me, would you?" He says with one last chuckle. I should not be surprised that he's meeting with Kati somewhere. Je ne devrais pas. (I really shouldn't.) And just like that… Im thinking about her again. Let's see it this methond can work again.

|-That evening. Playground of the Stars, Crotona Park, 1511 Fulton Avenue, the Bronx-|

"You just… ran into her?" I ask Met, wanting to know more about his little conversation with City. I can't shake this feeling that he went out of his way to find her, though I know that he didn't. If Met is specifically looking for someone, he makes it known. Utálja, ha titkolózik. (He hates being secretive)
"Yeah, Central Park, right in front of the art museum by that obelisk." He starts, looking out at the many Halloween decorations that are everywhere, prompting me to do the same. Whoever set this up really pulled out all the stops. Crotona's never looked so spooky and grim. Valójában ez egy kicsit szép. (It's actually kind of nice.) That's when Met gets my attention again. "She looked kinda… off. Like somethin was botherin her."
"Gold City? Bothered? I doubt it." I say, knowing that Met is probably right. Ever since the fashion show ended, she's been weirdly anxious. When we ran into each other at Morningside Park on Friday replays in my head. It's not a good look. I've become so used to that high confidence and swagger. To see her so dour is… Ez tényleg aggasztó. (It's really concerning)
"You sure? Because these eyes know what they saw." Met retorts, two fingers pointing to his silver and purple orbits as he adjusts his posture, eyeing some of the attractions that have been set-up. His ears then perk up, shuffling his hat slightly as he tunes himself to where he tries to hear whatever sound has his attention better. "Dai, de sta parte. (Come on, this way) This they've got somethin ineterestin at the first baseball field."

Met starts walking and I have no choice but to follow him. We quickly make out way to the first baseball diamond, crossing Crotona Avenue before Met stops, head turning to each side as he takes in what he sees.
"Hmm… Thú vị đấy. (Interesting)" He says as I reach him, eyes now spotting what he finds interesting. Looks like a mock-up of a corn maze. Not a bad one, either. It's actually pretty good all things considered.
"What has you interested?" I ask as Met walks over to a sign, reading it before he turns back to me to answer.
"Looks like a scavenger hunt. Find three things and you get a prize. Faster you find all thre, the better the prize." He says as he looks over at the maze. "Wanna see if we've still got the touch?" I then look over at the maze, considering it for a second.
"Seems like fun." I say, watching as Met's face contorts into one of smugness.
"Fun? They've got zombies and ghouls in there." He says, letting the sarcasm soak into every aspect of his voice.
"I think I can handle a few people in costumes, Met." I say as I start walking towards the maze, pride hurt slightly by what Met just said to me. He starts following me, and we line up for our turn in the maze. There's a few signs detailing what will happen and what we'll see while we're in there. Costumes actors heckling us, three gems to find that can end the "zombie curse" that's overtaken the farm. The line moves, we reach the front and we pay our little entry fee and start searching, using a small map of the maze for guidance and what the best times are. Not that it matters. If Met's right, elmegyünk innen, mielőtt észrevennénk. (We'll be out of here before we know it)

"Okay, first gem should be right here." I say as I start looking through the suitcase that's lying there, not taking too long to find the gem. That's out first one. I hand it to Met when we hear some rustling and groans around us.
"Time to go. Second one should be around the corner but it's behind a locked gate." He says as he briefly looks at the map before he starts to move. "Got to get through a puzzle, through. Looks hard, too." I follow him as quickly as I can, rounding a bend to find a metal gate. Gondolom, itt van a rejtvényünk. (Guess this is where our puzzle is) I find where it is and get to work. This is what they consider to be "difficult"? A child could get through this without any problems. I find the answer quickly and open the box, seeing the key inside and slotting it into the hole, unlocking the gate where we search for the second crystal, finding it under some rocks that have been scattered around the maze, presumably for this exact purpose. I look to Met, wanting to know where the third one is, at which point he looks down at the map, scanning it for a few seconds before he answers.
"We'll need to get through two puzzles before we can even entertain the idea of grabbin that third rock. By the way, we're doin fantastic on time." He says as he starts walking, looking around everynow and then to make sure we're in the clear. I'm really glad he's an Uma sometimes. His better sense of hearing comes in handy for things like thuis. He can tell when someone is coming at us.

"First puzzle should be here." I say, looking briefly at the map. We search around for the little box and find it.
"Looks like a Rubik's Cube." I hear Met say as I pick it up. I immediately start moving the sides into place, each swipe quick and light as I solve the cube. Met looks at me like I just cured cancer, his face completely dumbfounded. "Gesù Cristo... (Jesus Christ…)" He mutters as I slide a face off completely, pulling out a small disc-like object. Guess this must be another key.
"Where's the second puzzle?" I ask as I watch Met look down at the map.
"Three turns from here. Right-left-right by the looks of things. Come on. Down this way." Met says, ears perking u as he hears something I can't. No reason to not trust him. I follow his lead, and we eventually come upon the second puzzle. Ó, ez egy találós kérdés. (Oh, it's a riddle) I quickly look at the little plaque, reading what it says carefully so I don't mix anything up.

'I stand guard with no feet, a sentry to secrets deep. What am I?'

That's… actually a pretty good one. Standing gaurd with no feet? First instinct is to say a scarecrow, since they're on a pole that's stuck into the ground, but that doesn't feel right. A sentry to secrets deep… Ó, értem már. (Oh, I get it) That's a dead giveaway for what it is. I find a small keypad that has whatever is inside locked away and tyoe out my answer.

'Keyhole'

That answer gets accepted, and something clicks behind the plaque. I slide it and find another disc. Two-part key. Kind of genius, really. I take it, noticing that it's larger than the first. I take that out, and place it inside the larger disc. I then turn back to Met, who immediately knows what I'm about to ask.
"Center." He says, and I start moving.
"No time to waste." I say as I round the bend, almost being spotted by an actor, but Met pulls me back as the actor starts moving, slowly shambling past us, where we then move out of the little corner we're in. We quickly make out way to the center of the maze, checking the map every now and then to make sure we're not getting lost. After about a minute we reach a large clearing with a small antennae in the center of it surrounded by two people. We approach and give them the three crystals where they then put them in small holes and the light at the top of the antennae goes from red to green.
"Congrats. You lifted the curse that has come over the farm. Record time, too." One of the people says as they point us to the exit when Met then asks something.
"If we set a record then what was our time?" He asks, watching the other person shift slightly as they answer.
"Eight minutes and five seconds. Over two and a half mintues faster than the previous best time." She says as me and Met look between eachother, a smug smile on his face as we walk out the exit so that we can claim our prize.

"Cursed, black magic night"
"We've been struck down"
"Down in this Hell"
"Spells surround me day and night"
"Stricken by the force of evil light"
"The force of evil light"

I pause the music and take my headphones off as I see Kati movin this way. Settlin down by Hylan Park wasn't all that bad of an idea. Không một chút nào. (Not in the slightest) I grab my phone to check the time, seeing that it's almost 9. Shit, forgot my HRT. I quickly reach into my bag and grab the bottle, getting it open and shaking a few of the pills into my hand before I knock them back, drowning them with a swig of tea as Kati comes back with some candy apples. Uno par mi. Uno par eła. (One for me. One for her) She hands me one that's covered in purple-colored caramel while she takes the green one, givin it a few licks before she turns her attention towards me.
"Don't look at me like that." She says, thinkin I had some weird thoughts on my mind. Like that would ever happen.
"I'd rather jump off the Empire State Buildin then do that." I say as I look the apple in my hand over a few times before I decide to be an ass and just bite into it. A satisfyin crunch fills the air as Kati looks at me like I just sacrificed her first born.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Are you… Your teeth, Met…" She says, brown eyes lookin me up and down as she tries to find a logical reason for my actions. Spoiler alert: No ghe ne xe. (There isn't any)
"Could've been worse. Could've bitten down onto a Jolly Rancher without suckin on it first." I say, cockin my head as I realize that didn't exactly come out how I intended it to. "Okay, that sounded better in my head."
"Óh, tényleg. Azt hiszed? (Oh really. You think?)" Kati responds, as she nibbles on some of the caramel as the bottom of her apple. I, however, go in for another full bite. Another crunch fills the air as I chew on the caramel glazed apple when I start hearin somethin weird, ears perkin up and movin so I can hear it better. Well, not so much weird as opposed to shitty.

"It's rude to stare, honey."
"Better to ignore her and whatever delusion she has."
"Less said about that, the better."

This bullshit makes my blood boil. Bunch of insecure jackoffs projecting their problems onto me because I have the audacity to go against the grain and be true to myself. True to how I view myself. I hate how much this pisses me off. How much it gets to me. How much some people can't let others live in peace. Lũ lợn vô cảm. (Insensitive pigs)
"Met. Just ignore it." I hear Kati say. But before I can even get a response, she finishes her statement. "I know where your ears are pointing. I know what you're hearing. Just ignore them. What they have to say about you is unimportant and petty. Don't give them the attention they're craving."
"Hard to do when you know the assholes are starin at you." I say, takin another bite out of the apple as I keep hearin those assholes talk.

"How could someone throw away such grace like that?"
"Unsightly for a once beautiful uma."
"Just a god damn shame."

Just a bunch of sad and pathetic little homonculi. Wouldn't want to live their lives. They eventually stop, realizin that I won't give them the attention their parents refused to give them when they were children. I take one last bite of the apple before I end up chewin on the stick, leavin it hang in my mouth like I'm some kind of cowboy, hearin Kati chuckle as she sees it.
"You have… caramel flakes all over your face." She says as I start brushin my fingers against my facial hair. But it seems I'm hittin the wrong spots. "Chin." Kati says as I then pulls some caramel off my chin. Beh merda. (Well shit)
"God dammit. Why does caramel have to be so sticky?" I say as the flake pulls from my chin, a long string of caramel connectin the two. I manage to get it off, but now I need to actually wash my face. How fun. I get up and walk over to a nearby water fountain, gettin my hand wet and rubbin it all over my chin to get any remainin caramel off. Once I'm sure it's all gone, I make my way back to Kati, sittin down next to her, watchin people occasionally go by.

"This was… fun. Thanks for bringing me out here." I hear Kati say as she finally starts bitin into her apple, startin small before takin bigger bites. Penso che ła vołe gustar el gusto. (Guess she wants to savor the taste)
"Don't mention it. You looked like you could use somethin like this." I say, knowin that Gold City is still on every inch of her mind. Can't say I blame her. If I was in Kati's shoes, and had to deal with her tendencies, I think I'd be thinkin of similar things. And Kati doesn't mean to do stuff like that. Which honestly makes the situation worse. I can't imagine how she must really feel about this. Not bein able to have normal thoughts anout the person she's already spent close to five months workin with. Maybe if I can prod a little I can help her out a little. After all, isn't that what a best friend is for?

"Got a lot on your mind?" I ask, lookin her over to make sure that I haven't gone too far. Doesn't look like I have.
"Too much." She says. That's not a good sign. Not with the tone that's in her voice.
"Wanna talk about it?" I ask, proddin a bit further to see where we can go.
"You'll think less of me." Kati responds, retreatin into herself a bit as she finishes her apple. Không, tôi sẽ không để chuyện đó xảy ra. (Nope, not gonna let that shit happen)
"That's bullshit and you know it." I smugly say, watchin her reaction closely. Looks like I got to her. I think. It's sometimes hard to tell with this girl. Maybe it's all the maskin she does with her ADHD. Bad habit if you want my opinion. She takes a deep breath before she speaks up again, voice low, almost whisperin. Dio diavolo. (God dammit)
"It's been… way too hard to focus recently. My mind keeps going everywhere and anywhere it wants an it's so… fucking frustrating." She says, spewin profanity so brazenly as she does so. Cái này. Chắc vui lắm đây. (Well. This is going to be fun)
"Doesn't sound like the ADHD talkin." I say, tone serious so Kati knows I'm not jokin around this time. And she realizes that.
"It's not." She says, damn near whimperin. I won't prod further, I think I've gone far enough. But I know that I can still do somethin that can help out here. I look out at the park and in the dimlight spot a scarecrow. Bersajo perfeto. (Perfect target)
"See that scarecrow?" I say, watchin Kati's eyes drift towards it, the thick frames of her glasses stayin on her face perfectly as she turns her head. "Pretend it's that one dickhead from highschool."
"You gotta be more specific." She says, wantin some clarification.
"Asshole jock I sent to the hospital that one summer." I respond, watchin Kati's face still be confused.
"More specific, Met." She says, side eyein me as her head stays focused on the scarecrow.
"The fuck you want me to say? Tall, blonde. Had a pervert's smile but in the pathetic kind of way not horrifyin." I tell her, watchin her expression change to realization as she figures out who I'm talkin about. "Got him pictured in your head? He's your intrusive and impulsive thoughts. Chuck a brick at them." I say as Kati turns her head to face me, mortified by what I jsut told her to do.
"What the… You're crazy." She says as she looks back at the scarecrow.
"But you're gonna do it." I retort, watchin the gears turn in her head, goin from lewd thoughts about Gold City to that one dickhead, who then gets pelted by bricks until that fuckass, pretty boy face of his turns battered and bruised from the masonic assault. Good. Fuck that guy. Hắn là một tên khốn. (He was an asshole)

"I'll be okay. Do you need a ride back to your place?" Kati asks me, wantin to make sure I get home safe evne though she knows I will. You'd have to be high out of your mind to test me like that.
"I'm fine. You worry too much." I say, watching the gears turn in her head as she processes what I said.
"Are you sure? What if… someone tries to… you know… because you're… you know…" She then says as I get my headphones on my ears.
"Then I'll punt them into the Hudson." I say as I start walkin, music blastin in my ears as I go.

"Erase - The rules that are set there to keep you down"
"Break down - The chains that keep you to the ground"
"Erase"
"Erase - And follow me to where the real fun is"

"It is not a shame to be called insane"
"And to go against, against the grain"
"Demand the right to set your own rules"
"Not walk the path of those who are lame"

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fanfiction.lol^{fun, silly, low-stakes fandom}

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