AS always, the bonfire was packed.

Given it was the first party of the school year—as well as one that both Kooks and Pogues attended—it was bound to be full of teens, yet it never failed to surprise Eden as she took in everyone. For once, both sides of the island got along; even if it was just for a few hours over cups of beer and joints.

In the center of the party, as its namesake suggested, there was a bonfire. Cinders floated through the air and the smell of smoke was thick, mixed with the familiar scent of booze and weed, as well as body odor due to the humidity of the night air.

It wasn't a pleasant aroma, to say the least, but to Eden, it was somewhat homey.

Exiting the Twinkie, she was instantly met with a thousand sounds at once—the crackling of the bonfire, the many volumes of conversation and drunken chatter, the revving of a motorcycle, the slamming of car doors—and she's quick to take in familiar faces, smiling at those whom made eye contact with her.

Despite knowing many people—as well as having many people wanting to talk with her— Eden actually didn't socialize a terrible amount at parties. She'd much rather stay and play drinking games with JJ, or listen to John B. drunkenly rant about his current problems then be forced to talk with some boring Kook, or have some tipsy Pogue all over her.

So, falling into old habit, she was immediately drawn to John B.'s side—Kiara and Pope dispersed ahead, by themselves—to which the Routledge wrapped an arm around her, pulling both her and JJ closer.

John B. was first to truly start socializing—he easily got along with others, and fit in with the laid back, party aesthetic. Especially now, after finding and losing a fortune, becoming a fugitive, going to jail, and getting dumped—taking a red solo cup from the first girl who offered with a, "Oh my God, I've missed you so much." 

"Please, you couldn't tell me her name if your life depended on it." Eden scoffed, taking the cup from the Routledge's grasp before he could bring the cups to his lips, bringing it to her own instead. 

"For starters, get your own fucking cup. You're Eden Bexley for a reason." John B. states, grabbing his own cup back, before continuing, "And yes, I could."

JJ lazily chimes in, "Nah, I think Eden's right. Ever since you met Sarah, she's the only girl you seem to know."

"Sarah." Her name rolls off the Routledge boy's tongue sourly, his brain recalling their break-up and his current heartbreak at the mention. "All the sudden, she's like, 'That's it, that's it—' " 

"I know, I know." JJ nodded along—he really wasn't in the mood to hear John B. sulk over his ex, not when they could be getting drunk and partying; meeting new girls. "But, dude, her father blew up right in front of her. Just give her a minute, alright?" He bends down and grabs two beers, handing one to Eden without hesitation, "In the meantime, shot-gun right now. Like the old days, alright?" 

"The old days as in two months ago?" Eden thankfully takes the beer that JJ offered, instinctively taking off the tab. 

"Yes, Eden." JJ smiles, "Exactly that." 

"Well great, because I would love to go back two months ago." The Bexley hums, bringing the can up to her lips. Her words were rather truthful; if she got a singular wish, it would be to go back to then—to when their biggest problem was having a terrible hangover instead of some old powerful lady in Charleston. To when their biggest mystery was finding out who drank the last beer instead of some bedazzled cross and key. 

"Hey, derelicts!"

There's a small clatter and all three Pogues jump as a beer can hit the cement near them, clearly having been chuckled in their direction. Eden looks up to see a fellow classmate from her geometry class, dressed up in a black one sleeve shirt and skirt, eyes locked on John B. with a smile

"Hey, there she is!" JJ exclaims, pointing towards the girl. He makes brief eye contact with Eden, who nods, signifying this was the girl who'd invited the Routledge. "That's you—" he points at John B and wraps an arm around Eden, "—we're out of here."

Eden raises her can towards him, a hint of amusement in her voice as she chimes, "Have fun and stay safe."

"Goodnight." JJ says, pulling out his pocket knife to slit the aluminum of his can. John B. gives an eye roll and aimlessly hits his hand against the Maybank's crotch, the blonde boy slightly hurling over, beer foam spilling through the slit. "That was..."

"Deserved? Yeah." Eden hums lightly, smirk playing lightly on her lips as she takes another swig of her drink—the beer was slightly bitter, but then again the Bexley was normally for more exotic things than simple alcohol, like Vodka or a decent Strawberry Daiquiri. 

"You can be really annoying, you know?" the Maybank fondly rolls his eyes, holding his can back up so it stops dripping beer upon the floor. 

Eden counters, "Have you looked in mirror lately?"

"Touche, Eden, Touche." JJ replies before holding his can with both hands, shot-gunning the drink just as he'd told John B. to do before the boy went off. As soon as the can met his lips, the blonde brought it back, crunching the can and discarding it—much to Kie's dismay. "Well, what do you say we do now, Your Majesty?"

"Well, given you just shot-gunned your can, get more beer?" Eden suggests, knowing the boy would agree with her—JJ Maybank saying no to drinking was unheard of. "There's a keg somewhere." 

JJ smiles, "It's like you read my mind, Eden."

"No, it's like I've known you since third grade." the Bexley smirks before leading herself and JJ away from John B. and the girl and instead further into the bonfire crowd, searching for the nearest keg. 

Despite being Eden, the crowd surely didn't part for her, so it took a few seconds to push past teens and couples. A few seconds of walking later and the two teens came across the keg station, multiple kegs set up so people could not only refill their drinks but do keg stands. 

Noticing the cooler sitting beside one of the kegs, the Bexley is quick to shot-gun her can before grabbing the bottle of Vodka instead, opting for it over whatever beer was inside the keg. 

"Is this not your third bottle of Vodka in the span of a week?" JJ states, grabbing two red solo cups. He hands one over to the Bexley, eyeing her as she grabs the alcohol bottle—he knew Eden drank, but she'd awfully done so since John B. came back. And Vodka was strong; it wasn't like she'd been downing beers, she'd been downing liquor. 

Eden casually uncaps the bottle, pouring a decent amount into her cup. JJ had a point—she'd drank a decent amount of a bottle after her mom slapped her, she'd shared a bottle with John B. the previous night and here she was, pouring herself another cup. A problem? Sure.  But Eden truly didn't care about her well being at the moment; certainly not after Sarah just lost her dad and John B. just lost his girlfriend. They had bigger problems than her liking of drinking. 

"I guess." the Bexley shrugs, looking at the blonde without a true care. JJ raises his brow as he gets in line for the keg, and the girl sends him a look. "What? Is JJ Maybank shaming me for drinking?"

"I'm not shaming, just....looking out for you." the Maybank says in defense, unsure on how to bring up what he's noticed without sounding judgmental. Eden takes a sip of her cup, feeling the sharp sting of the Vodka as she takes a stance next to JJ in line. "You've been drinking more than usual since everything happened with your mom and John B.'s return. I don't want you to over do it, you know?"

"If you're worried about me blacking out, I'm fine." Eden knows it's not what he means, but she truly doesn't feel like talking about herself and her problems—certainly not at the bonfire, where you were supposed to be drunk. "I know how to handle my alcohol."

"No, Eden, I'm worried about three bottles becoming four." JJ states firmly, voice unwavering. "I know you always think you need to take care of us, especially now,  but clearly you're the one who needs taken care of."

"I appreciate the concern, J, but I'm okay." Eden deflects, looking outwards towards the crowd in an attempt to not make eye contact with the boy. "I was drunk when you saw me crying at the Chateau and everything  just spilled out, but I'm fine—"

"Are you really?" JJ counters, voice low and almost accusatory. "Because it seems like you're using alcohol to numb whatever you're feeling." His words cause the Bexley to tighten her grip around her cup, and he seems to take that as a cue to loosen his voice. "Look I get it, drowning your problems with alcohol—believe me, I've done it. But you have friends who are willing to listen to you." He pauses, "You have me. Pretending you're okay isn't gonna make shit better."

"I know I do, and I know it won't." Eden mutters, finally looking at the Maybank, "But I'm done talking about this." She walks forward towards the keg, "All I want to do tonight is get shitfaced and have a little bit of fun." 

JJ sighs, "Eden—"

"Eden." Another voice says her name, and Eden looks forward to see Sean smiling back at her. The boy stands in front of the keg, clearly running it. "Glad you ended up coming." 

"Not like me to miss a party." Eden replies, offering a warm smile.

"Need a beer?"

"I have myself set, but—" Eden holds her cup to show that she had alcohol before nodding towards JJ, who stood quietly behind her. "—JJ here, does." 

Sean offers a tight smile to JJ, "JJ." 

"Sean." The Maybank greets, handing over his cup. The boy at the keg fills up his cup silently, and Eden keeps a solid stance beside JJ, taking a swig of her drink—liquid courage if you will. Once the cup was filled, Sean handed it back, and the Maybank takes a small sip. "Thanks, man."

"No problem." Sean comments before returning his attention to the Bexley. "How have you been? We haven't really hung out since last summer." 

 Eden swirls her cup around with a sigh, "Well, with everything that's been going on these past two months, I haven't really had time to catch up with anyone." 

"I get that." Sean nods, filling himself a cup of alcohol, "It's been crazy on your end, yeah?"

"I guess you could say that." The Bexley dryly comments, taking a bigger sip of her drink. "Lots of stress, but that's why we're having a party, yeah?" 

Sean gives a curt nod before changing his demeanor slightly, "Well, if you ever need someone to help you forget about your troubles for a while, you can always call me." He stares at the Bexley, almost waiting for her to take his offer now. 

Eden almost spits out her drink at the confidence of the statement, 

JJ, however, is quick to defend. Slightly stepping in front of the shorter girl, he offers, "She's good, man."

Sean looks at the Maybank firmly, "I wasn't talking to you, Maybank."

"But I'm talking to you." JJ replies, Eden biting her lip—she really didn't feel like watching the two boys get in a tussle because of her. "Her best friend just got out of jail, you really think she wants to hook up?"

"Why do you care, man? It's not like you're even dating her—"

"'Cause it seems like you're trying to get in her pants right now—"

"Boys, enough." Eden snaps, looking between the two. She appreciated the defensiveness from JJ—she'd always appreciated the perk of having guy friends like John B., JJ, and Pope that was their protectiveness—but she was fine. "Thanks for the offer, Sean, but I'm good." 

"That's all I needed to hear." Sean's expression falters, but he manages to linger his gaze on JJ for a moment before returning to the Bexley. "Always open though, if you ever so find yourself in a needed position."

Eden replies in a clipped tone, "Got it."

"Well—" JJ flips his head back, nodding towards the people standing in line, waiting for their chance to fill their cups, "—it looks like we're holding up the line, and who are we to stop people from getting drunk?" He sends Sean a rather fake smile before practically pushing Eden and himself away from the keg. 

Eden sends the boy a light wave as she's pushed away, trying to stay nice. "See you at school."  She allows the Maybank boy to walk her further from the keg, letting out a sharp exhale as she eases up. She makes eye contact with JJ, "You didn't have to do that, you know."

"Do what?" JJ shrugs, "Defend you?" 

"Yeah, I can do that myself." 

"I know. Doesn't stop me from stepping in, though." The Maybank replies, shaking his head as he recalled what Sean said, almost chuckling himself at how stupid the boy sounded. "I mean, did he seriously think you wanted to have sex with everything that was happening right now?" 

"He was trying to be nice, I guess." Eden shrugs, taking a drink. Her eyes scan around for other things she could do with JJ to keep her busy—she doubts she'd leave for another few hours between with JJ's partying agenda and John B.'s mystery girl.

JJ shakes his head, "Y'know, I never did like Sean."

"Well, lucky for you, he isn't your designated hook-up." Eden replies, before spotting a good amount of teens circled around another set of kegs and coolers, heads thrown back and arms interlinked as they did different kinds of shots and drinking games. 

"I still don't get why he is. Like, you're Eden Bexley, you could be with....anyone, honestly." 

"Whatever. I see drinking games, and if John B.'s night goes as it looks, we're gonna be here for a minute." Eden states, grabbing a hold of the blondes hand to start dragging him through the party. "And before you say something about earlier, don't. I'm fine and I'm finished with the conversation."

JJ is silent for a moment before quietly complying, ".....Okay." 

That's all it takes for the Bexley to start leading the two of them through the crowd, prepared to feel the effects of alcohol in her system by the end of the hour. 

Eden was indeed feeling more than tipsy by the end of the hour. 

Her and JJ had played many different drinking games, and Eden isn't sure how many different shot glasses or red solo cups she'd been handed, nor what was inside of them. 

After each game or cup finished, her mind succumbed more and more to the effects of alcohol until she was decently intoxicated, body bubbling with laughter and unsteadiness, words slightly slurred together.

The music was blasting from the speakers, and some teens had retreated to dancing with friends or their respective partners. From where she stood beside JJ—who was currently offering drinks to two girls, chatting aimlessly with them—Eden could see John B. and his invitee, her arms wrapped around his neck, one hand casually cupping his cheek.

And while Eden wasn't planning on judging John B—almost too casually. 

The Bexley wasn't going to judge if John B. was trying to get his mind off of Sarah at this party. If he wanted to have fun with the girl, it wasn't her place to be upset or stop him. However, she knew that if a certain someone found out he was doing this, they would be. 

So, the Bexley does what she thinks could intervene their moment and heads towards John B., bright and tipsy smile on her face as she calls out to him, "John B! John B!" She's sure she sounds awfully annoying and clingy, but that was the goal. "John B!"

John B. turns at the sound of his name coming from familiar lips, slightly stepping away from the girl as Eden approaches. "Oh, hey Ed'." Noticing her clear tipsiness, he holds out an arm in case she needs support, "What's up?"

"Just wanted to see how you and your little friend are doing." the Bexley shrugs, smiling at the Pogue girl—who seems slightly disappointed that she was interrupted. Swapping her cup of Vodka into the other hand, Eden offers the girl a hand of formality. "I'm Eden, by the way. I don't think John has really had time to introduce you to any of us."   

Her words are made to dig at the fact that John B. was moving along with her rather quickly, but she doesn't care if John B. catches the hint or not—she was interrupting regardless.

"I know who you are." The Pogue girl comments, "And we were actually in the middle of something, if you don't mind."

 Eden lets out a small chuckle and pulls her hand back, wrapping it around her cup once more. "Believe me, I know you know who I am. Everyone does." She can't help from gaining some attitude, "I was just trying to be nice because I can't seem to remember who you are, exactly" 

John B. sends Eden a weary look, picking up on her tone. Blaming it on the amount of alcohol in her system, the boy asks, "How much have you had to drink, Eden?" 

"Why is everyone so obsessed with that tonight?" The Bexley exclaims, words slurred. Sure, maybe she was drinking more than normal to try to block out her emotions for five minutes, but she was fine. She was Eden Bexley—of course she was fine. "Like, holy shit, I'm fine?"

The Pogue girl scoffs, "You don't look fine." 

"And you don't look like someone I'm going to listen to right now." Eden retorts, staring at the girl firmly—she might be drunk, but she didn't lose her usual attitude. 

"Eden, come on." John B. tries to keep her from starting an argument, eyes scanning around the crowd for JJ, Kie, or Pope—someone who could take her away and keep her calm. "I know you get snappy when you're drunk but you need to stop."

"I haven't said shit." Eden replies casually, bringing her cup back up to her lips for another drink. 

"But you're going to. I know you." John B. states.

"I'm literally Mr. Perfectly Fine over here." Eden states, eyes wandering off in the distance as she takes a sip. Suddenly, her gaze catches hold of Sarah Cameron coming near, and she can't stop herself before yelling for the familiar face, "Sarah!" 

"Hi, Eden." Sarah nears the three teens, smiling over at the Bexley before turning to look at John B. Her eyes narrow in on the Pogue girl beside the boy and she makes herself known, "Sancho."  As her ex looks over at her, she proceeds, "Hi! You gonna introduce me to your friend?"

The girl beside John B. earns a stiff face at the sight of the Cameron, John B. stepping forward to ask, "What are you doing here?"

"Same thing you're doing here it looks like." The blonde retorts. Her eyes suddenly catch hold of Topper, and she ushers him over with a smile, "Hey, Top!" 

"Hey, Sarah." Topper replies lightly, wrapping an arm around the blonde—too casually, if Eden can say. Sarah grabs a hold of his hand as it drapes down her shoulder, the Thornton boy taking in the hard stare coming from John B. as she did so. "Hey, I think we should go."

Sarah turns around, "I don't know what you mean. I think we're just getting started—"

"That's a good idea." The Pogue girl beside John B. snaps, "You should go, Sarah."

Sarah whips around, almost surprised the girl had the nerve to speak to her, "Did I ask you?"

"You don't own everything, princess." The girl snaps, "You guys aren't even together—"

"—why are you still talking?"

"Okay, you need to relax." Topper steps forward to intervene, placing a hand forward like the Pogue was a dog who needed to be tamed, "Can you have a little respect? Her dad just died!"

"Hey, shut up, Kook! Back off!" 

"What is your problem?!"

"Don't touch me!"

Eden raises her brow and brings her cup back up to her lips as Topper and the Pogue begin to argue at one another, their words falling deaf to her ears as she begins to hear John B. and Sarah converse pointedly at one another beside her.

"She's a real gem." Sarah sarcastically comments.

The comment seems to tick John B. enough off for him to start spitting, "What am I to you, huh? Am I just another one? Like that?" His pent up anger and broken heart were beginning to spill, and he honestly didn't care that it was at the biggest party of the school year. 

"She just another groupie that you're gonna collect?"

Topper comes forward again, "Sarah, let's go—"

"Did...did I mean anything to you? Did you....did you tell her?"

Eden wants to scoff at the comment. She loves Sarah, but seriously? John B. had practically chosen the Cameron girl over herself and Kie, had worried all and only about her for the past month for Sarah to ask if she'd even mattered to him—she'd been his everything. 

Words start to get thrown around and Eden can barely process who's saying what before Topper steps towards the Routledge, "You wanna start shit right now?!"

"Do I wanna start some shit?" John B. mocks, almost threatening the Thornton to start something. 

Someone from the crowd yells out, "Come on, John B! Kick his ass!" 

Topper let's his ego get the way, roaring, "They all know what happened last time!"

Eden thinks back to the last fight between John B. and Topper—the Pogues' kegger back when they originally found the Grady White—in which the Routledge boy ended up unconscious in the ocean, to which the Bexley had to perform light CPR. She didn't want nor need a round two to happen. 

"Just get out! Just go!" Sarah shoved her ex backwards, clearly trying to get him to back off before Topper started a fight, wanting neither boy to end up hurt or unconscious like last time—they were both pissed and she could sense Topper's ego urging him to win another fight. "Eden, please, get him!"

Eden doesn't hesitate much before grabbing a hold of John B.'s arm the best she could, trying to pull him back as well. "As much as I'd love to see Topper get his ass beat, it can't happen right now. Let's go, now."

Topper calls out, "I'll beat your ass!"

"Get out of here, Topper." the Routledge brushes Eden's hand off, staring ahead at the blonde Kook.

Sarah backs up towards Topper, pushing against his chest to try and evacuate him instead, "Don't even think about it."

"He started it, Sarah! He started it!" the Thornton boy states.

Suddenly, Kelce appears in front of the Routledge, voice full of defense and anger against the boy. Speaking for Topper's side, he states, "Hey, she don't want you anymore, bro—"

"Shut the hell up." John B. mutters before pushing the boy back.

"What you gonna do, John B? You gonna kill me like you killed Sheriff Peterkin, huh?" Kelce spits angrily, trying to urge the Routledge on. Eden's jaw drops at the statement, and she watches as John B. turns around with clenched fists. "Do something—"

Kelce doesn't even have time to finish his sentence before John B.'s fist connects with his face. 

The crowd let out collective gasps and sounds of shock as Kelce stumbles backwards into someone's arms, spit flying out of his mouth from the impact. That seems to push Topper to his breaking point as the blonde comes storming forward, hands beginning to fumble over John B.'s figure.

Everything happened to quick for Eden to fully process. John B. and Topper ended up on the floor, the crowd holding up their phones to film the scene while cheering on their respective teens—as if this couldn't result in injury or worse. Sarah's voice yelled over the crowd for the two to stop.

Eden's stomach churned as she watched the scene, alcohol mixing with her nerves. She tried her best to push—more so stumble—through the crowd, wanting to find Sarah; or JJ, Pope, and Kie for that matter. She just wanted to find someone who could help.

"Move! Move!" Kiara's voice called over the raucous, Eden whipping around to see the beanie-wearing girl approaching her. Kie made eye contact with the Bexley and quickly walked over. "Eden, are you good?"

"I'm fine." the Bexley states, "We need to get them to stop—"

The girl's words are cut off as John B.'s Pogue girl comes into her viewpoint, Eden whipping around to watch the girl shove Sarah off the ledge they were standing on with a, "Get off!" 

Sarah lands onto the concrete with a thud, features contorting at the impact and the sharp rock against her exposed skin. From the ledge, John B. took notice of the fall and—despite Topper on top of him—managed to yell, "Sarah!" 

The sight didn't only get a reaction from John B., but Kie and Eden too.  The Bexley could tolerate comments, but she wasn't going to let that Pogue simply shove Sarah like that—not when the Cameron hadn't even been trying to start a fight.

"Hey! What the fuck is your problem!" Eden sobers up enough with anger to come forward towards the girl, shoving her backwards harshly—if there's one thing Eden Bexley would always do, it would be defend her friends, mad at them or not. 

Kiara snarls her way, "What the hell is your problem?"

 "Hey! What the hell!" the Pogue calls out, "Whose side are you on!?"

"Certainly not yours, bitch." Eden snaps, sparing a glance back at the Cameron to make sure she was okay.

"You belong with us!"

Eden rolls her eyes, "I can see why John B. didn't stick with you originally."

"And I can see why he's stuck with you. He's got a real thing for stuck-up bitches." The Pogue girl snaps. Eden opens her mouth to reply, but she proceeds, "You think you're better than everyone else, yeah? Well, you're just like every other spoiled little brat who thinks she can buy her way out of every problem." The girl manages a smirk, "News flash, money doesn't fix the ones that you have in your head."

"Honey, I don't think I'm better than everyone, I know I am." Eden states, tone unwavering. She was Eden Bexley; this bitch had nothing on her, no matter how hard she tried. 

"How more stuck-up could you be?" The Pogue spits.

"I like to call it being self-aware." Eden replies firmly, before earning a light smirk, "Talk about me all you want but at the end of the day, people speak of my name highly—they probably don't even know yours."

The comment seems to be it for the Pogue girl because she suddenly swings her hand back, striking Eden right against the cheek—just as Isla had done a few days before.

The Bexley's jaw clenches and her head is brought to the side by the sudden action, but she doesn't allow herself to bring a hand to the sore skin. Instead, she manages a dry laugh before bringing a fist up to punch the girl back—she was drunk and she was pissed. 

Gasps and sounds of shock fall from the crowd and adrenaline is quick to rush through Eden's figure as her fist makes contact with the Pogue's face—she'd never really punched anyone before

The Pogue falls back, clearly surprised, but her face holds more anger than before, "You bitch!"

The crowd holds up their phones again, clearly shifting scenes, and despite her unsteady figure, Eden is ready to fight the girl. However, no one makes another move as John B., JJ, Pope, and Kie rush in, others in the crowd holding the Pogue girl back.

"Okay, Eden, let's go—" She feels a pair of hands wrap around her waist, pulling her back with ease. Looking up, she sees that it's John B., seemingly out and away from his fight with Topper. "We're out of here."

"No—John B., let me go!" Eden is rather whiny as she slurs, watching as she's dragged away from the Pogue girl and the crowd of teens—she'll probably regret everything when she sees it on all on her socials the next day. "I was about to beat her ass! Let me beat her ass—did you see me punch her?" 

"Get out of here, Pogues!" 

"Dirty ass Pogues!"

"Go back to the Cut!" 

"And we're so proud of you for it, but you're drunk and we're getting out of here." JJ says, helping John B. get her off the ledge.

The five Pogues disperse back to the Twinkie, leaving the heated crowd for the much more quiet and peaceful van. Being the most sober of the group, Pope and Kiara took the front and passenger while John B. and Eden took back, JJ retreating back and forth between coolers and the back window to hand over cool cans and water bottles.

The van was rather quiet, no one really wanting to speak about the events, or upset an already down John B. The Routledge boy sat silently against the side door, blank expression as he held a cold can of beer against where Topper had hit him in an attempt to dull the throbbing. However, no amount of cold cans would be able to soothe the true pain happening in his heart over Sarah Cameron.

JJ suddenly jogged back to the vehicle, downing the rest of a beer can before crushing it. In his other hand was a sealed water bottle, which he handed through the window to Kiara, "Well, that was a little unexpected."

Kiara takes the water bottle and opens it, "Was it?"

"Real." Eden hums, drumming her fingers against her bare knee, "Like, every time we go to a party I feel like John B. has to get his ass kicked or something—no offense, you just.....don't win." Her words are still slurred together, reminding the group that anything being said was within a drunken haze. 

Pope sighs, "Kie, give her the water."

"On it." The Carrera looks over her shoulder to the backseat and outstretches her hand to offer the water bottle to the Bexley, "Eden, drink this. You need to be sober if you want to join the conversation."

Eden blinks owlishly before placing her head against her knees, lightly shaking it as she mutters, "I guess I'll just stop talking then." 

"Eden, seriously."

"No, I feel fan-fuckin'-tastic as I am." the Bexley huffs stubbornly.

John B. speaks for the first time, voice low. "It's like everything that happened to us didn't matter." He leans his head back in a sulky manner, the group collectively frowning at his tone of voice.

"Would s'mores make you feel better?" Eden perks up, thinking about something that could possibly bring everyone else's—or at least John B.'s—spirits up slightly. "I would kill for a s'more right now."

John B. slowly looks over at his best friend, appreciating her drunken attempt. "Yeah, Eden. It....it would."

He's not sure anything would fix what he felt, but s'mores couldn't hurt.

mara's misc

this chapter is my formal apology to kensie because i am unable to call tonight (give your online friend your number, they said. it'll be fun, they said). nah but fr get yourself an online friend like kensie, it's pretty chill, especially when they have barn kitties that you've claimed as your own personal children. 

also i'm just putting this in the open if the kitten we named after eden dies, eden bexley is literally going too bc that's just a personal attack from god. 

HAPPY TTPD DAY!!! HOW ARE WE ALL FEELING?????

personally, i LOVE the album. the lyrics were top tier and flat out gagging sometimes, joe alwyn can say goodbye to a career rn and the vibes from all the songs were really good! there was a good mix of pop/synthy songs, sad/ballad songs and then folklore/evermore esque songs like the albatross (that song REALLY reminded me of smth from those two albums idk abt ya'll)

while it's hard to choose, my favs have to be ttpd, the albatross, who's afraid of little old me, loml, florida!!! && imgonnagetyouback. all of them were so good and held SO much. i wish i could dive into everything but that would take forever.

anyways, back to ss

this chapter was originally like 9000 words but i split it up bc ain't no way. i've been on such a writing spree lately it's actually crazy bc why the hell have i written 5 1/2 chapters in advance. i've written into episode 9 which is hella scary bc wdym i'm almost done with s2????? i don't want to write s3 eden yet. 

writing jj being concerned for eden is always always for kensie but i enjoyed doing it so yeah. no apologies.  

anways, yap sesh over. i got a sleepover to get to.

hope you enjoyed <3 see you back wit 52!!