Elmore [a quiet community...] shades & maple

[shades]

Levi Anderson ; ;
He looked at her blankly, “because I wasn’t sure until what I wanted was leaving.” Was all he could deadpan, taking a step back. Nervousness edged into his voice, “Look, don’t feel obliged to wait around for me.” Like Rose, Levi was breaking also. Any sign of that pain, Levi hid it well.

If he looked like a cold bastard, maybe it’ll be easier for her to leave. “But I promise we’ll see each other again, cause you’re coming back every once in awhile. But if you’re happy, then I’m happy.” Levi pulled out one of those small frames for the small, cellphone size pictures, it had one of the rare photos Carolyn forced them all to take together and look nice.

“Carolyn thought you would want something to remember us by, so here.” Levi handed it to her, looking up as the last warning rang. And it would be gone too fast, he knew.

[Maple ♥]

Rose

    She took it from him stiffly, her mouth still ajar with shock; everything was not going how she had planned.

    "You com in' kid? Trains about to leave," a worker asked her from inside one of the train doors, blinking at her expectedly. 

    Panicking still, she glanced between them both, at a lose for words, and the seconds were ticking by.

     "I'm not choosing her over you," she stated, though obviously, she was. "And you're right. I'm coming back. We..We can work this out." Stepping forward to him without wiping her eyes, she kissed him hard on the mouth before hugging him and taking steps back away from him toward the train as it began to start up it's engines. "I-I lov-" was all she got out before the guy closed the door in front of her and all she could do was stare out the window blankly as the train began to move. Her officially broken, but she'd made her choice.

    One she hoped she wouldn't soon regret. 

    

[shades]

Long Ass Post; Why Shades shouldn't be given six weeks vacation ; ;
As Rose left, sure she returned, but her life was happy and Levi couldn’t bear to make her miserable with his feelings. So, he continued the year and she continued her year—without the other. Their feelings for one another weren’t shared openly, though Levi saw Jane sneaking glances his way once in awhile when Rose was brought up, with a knowing smile. Whenever she came around, they were kind to each other, but they both knew she would have to leave. And that was the biggest obstacle that drove them apart.

It was the summer before college, despite Levi having freshman orientation in August, packing to do, and preparing with Mike. Since last year, there had been a nagging sensation in the back of his head, nibbling away as Rose left to live with her own mother, and began to devour Levi since Christmas and his eighteenth birthday. Levi was the kind of person who would let the sensation eat him until it was too late—and he wanted to let this die. Yet, it was persistent, no matter how long Levi shoved the truth away and attempted to focus on senior year and college.

He had been accepted into the University of Phoenix with Mike Zewlinski, where Levi would be studying psychology and Mike was going there for Criminal Justice. “Hey Levi, we should totally do Criminal Minds shit and profile people, you know.” The young man joked when they applied, University of Phoenix was both of their first options, yet they both had back-up schools to attend.

Their worries were set aside when Levi and Mike were accepted. “ROOMIE!” Mike had exclaimed the next day at band class, tugging Levi into a hug. “You’re going to have to fucking live with me.”

“Great.” Levi muffled into Mike’s shirt, sarcasm ebbing into every word with a small smirk.

Senior year had been great, if Rose was getting updates from Carolyn, Joseph, and Jane then she would be proud of Levi. This year of school at Elmore was no problems, no failing, no hospital visits, and definitely none of his past problems coming up—he would store those away for another day and focus on the now. Levi was in band, in the pit with Mike, on the drums. Elmore’s band was better than the football team, but they still sucked compared to the larger and better funded schools. Yet, it was something fun the two boys did.

Levi was working part-time with the boy scouts over the school year, attending weekly meetings and helping prepare for weekend trips.

For senior photos he had dressed nice (thank Carolyn for that or else he would have been a bum), one photo set being him and his violin and guitar, playing them as the photographer clicking away at her camera. The next was him just posing, and though Levi wanted to roll his eyes, he did smile.

At some point, Mike also showed up for his senior photos and insisted they take a few together. So from that you have a photo set of Levi and Mike attempting to look thug, arms crossed, sunglasses on—the usual guns drawn and back to back pose. Then there was one of Levi on Mike’s back, it was a photo but Mike had been singing ‘A Whole New World’ and trying to get Levi to do the female parts.

They came out of senior photos with good photos of them looking professional, and then a whole set of stupidity ones between two friends.

Rose would be proud to know Levi was acting more ‘normal’ around others, though he still held a guarded, and blank expression most times—he had opened himself more to people. More smiling. More laughing. Nothing holding him back.

Summer came around, and as the hype from graduation died down, Levi’s thoughts became his own again. He wasn’t worrying about homework, work, band practice, or even college stuff. It was once again those thoughts he thought when alone and secluded, and it always had to do with his mother. Levi was eighteen, an adult, and he knew that he could legally search for his family with no one holding him back (okay the fact he didn’t have a car might) or telling him it was ‘stupid’. He brought it up to Carolyn and Jane one day when sitting in the kitchen.

“I can’t tell you what to do, Levi. You are an adult, you have questions, and with that maybe you want answers before you start a new life at college. Like Rose, I’ll accept your decision whatever you choose.” Carolyn had explained, and Jane had smiled encouragement.

“…Mind if I borrow the car for a few days?”

Well, that was how he came to Romulus, Michigan. It was a decent distance away from Elmore, Levi having to drive five hours to get there; he nearly got lost a few times too. Yet, here he was at the place of his birth, where his mother lived, where his father hunted, did she still live here? Or did she leave the painful memories behind? Levi would not blame her if she did.

To start, Levi drove to the police station—if his father was convicted then he could find some information if the police officers would let him. Entering, instantly a woman’s voice made him jump, “may I help you?”

“Uh, uh, yeah. You see, I am…uh looking for someone. She’s not missing! Just she lived here at some point in her life…and I want to find where she went.”

The woman stared at him blankly. “If you don’t have anything to report, then I can offer no help—”

“Can I talk to an officer, please? Just for a few minutes.”

She sighed, just wanting him to get away. “Kid-”

“Levi.”
“Whatever, you’re lucky our crime rate has gone down in the past few months. Oi! Beckett, talk to this kid here.” Levi turned to see another woman trotting towards him, motioning for him to follow.

“So, what can I help you with? Have a seat.” The older woman flicked her hair over her shoulder casually, leading him to her desk. They sat down, Beckett across from Levi.

“Do you know the Kenneth Brady case? Er, uh ma’am.” Levi blurted out suddenly, looking away. His gunmetal eyes blinking away the emotion, he knew it would be something that Levi would just have to suck up and deal with. It was a good way to start, no matter how awful his father was.

“Well, I remember being in high school, but I wasn’t on the force when it happened.” Beckett smiled slightly, “why?”

Hopping from foot-to-foot, the normally calm, and collected young man could hardly keep the nervousness out of him. “Kaylee Anderson, is my mother. I-uh-want to find her.”

That caused a startled look to appear on Beckett’s face, her mouth forming into a ‘o’ before finally tucking her lips together. “I know someone here who might be able to help you better, hold on.” She disappeared, leaving Levi in his thoughts again. Maybe they would arrest him, or just tell him to go home—he wouldn’t find anyone here.

Yet, Beckett returned with a man who was much too old, and could be his grandfather. He had sharp eyes, worst than Levi’s own death stare, boring down on the young adult. He almost seemed dubious, but Levi notice him stop as they stared at each other, the man turning to Beckett and muttering into her ear. With a nod, she left the man to approach alone.

“My name is Quentin Lance, and you are?” The man introduced himself, holding out his hand and taking Levi’s in a firm grip.

“Levi…Anderson.”

The man seemed to be suspicious, but nodded nonetheless. “So, you’re positive you’re Kaylee Anderson’s son, it could be any Kaylee Anderson in the world what makes you so sure—”

“I have a birth certificate, you know.” Levi interrupted, shooting a tiny glare at the officer, pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket. “I was born in this city, in this state, to Kaylee Anderson and Kenneth Brady. I did my homework, sir.”

Lance seemed about ready to interrupt Levi, tell him off, but looking at the paper he seemed to stop. Because Levi was correct, unless he was an imposter or identity thief, though who else would come in and claim to be his mother’s son? A mother who put him up for adoption. Looking it over, the messy scrawl, the signature, he couldn’t be sure it was real—but damned did it look real. He even recognized the midwife who signed the paper, she had retired years ago but Lance was sure he could get in contact with her.

“You said you were looking for your mother,” Lance stated, looking at the birth certificate up and down. “So you were in foster care, or adopted…?”

“Adoption, but it didn’t work out so I went into foster care. I’m eighteen…and I leave for college in Arizona so…I thought I’d find an answer to my last question before summer ends.”

Lance bobbed his head. “Give me your phone number, I’ll run a few checks, make sure you are who you are, call the hospital and make sure you were born here, and if it all turns out right I might be able to help you find someone who knows where your mother is.”

“Really?”

Lance nodded, pulling out a pen and paper. Levi recited his number, and with a hasty thank-you, he left. Looking up, Beckett returned to her desk that had been claimed by the senior officer. “Is he really…?”

“I think so, do you still have contact with Kaylee?”

“No. She moved forty-five minutes away after her marriage.”

“Ah, that’s right. I’ll just call Louis then and see how he and Barb take the news.”

Levi spent the next few hours wandering around Romulus, calling Carolyn to update her and Joseph on the search. He was going to tell Rose, but then hesitated—she had mentioned being busy for the first few weeks of summer so she could come and visit Elmore before college. He didn’t want to bother her. So, in the two or three hours it spent Lance to find out all he needed, Levi sat in the car and read a book.

Around four pm he got a call, Levi immediately answering. “Hello?”

“Levi? It’s Lance, you checked out. It would have been done quicker, but I had some paper work to do too. I’ll meet you at 212 Lincoln Street in an hour and a half, when I get off work. Okay?”

“Okay.” Levi felt his heart beating in his chest, “uh, why there?”

“Like I said, I know people who can help you find your mother.” Lance was brief, he hung up after that knowing Levi wouldn’t skip, or blow the officer off. Instead, the young man looked up where he would be going and how long it would take to get there (give or take five minutes of getting lost).

Around 5:20 Levi drove slowly down Lincoln Street, looking at the numbers. 206. 208. 210. 212—aha! He pulled into the driveway, noticing Lance had also arrived early. As he pulled in, the older man jumped out of his car.

Hesitantly, Levi exited his borrowed one and squinted at the house. “She lives here?”

“No.” Lance said blankly, “but they can find her easily.” He didn’t chat much, instead leading Levi the way towards the door. The young man followed, fiddling his fingers together as the sound of knocking resonated through the neighborhood. A dog began barking, but it was quickly hushed by a loud shout of “Bo!” making Levi wonder if the dog would eat his face off.

Eventually the brass knob turned and the red painted door opened, another older looking man beaming at Lance, “Quentin! It’s been awhile since we had a drink together, huh? You said you wanted to visit, what brings you here—?” His question died on his throat as he noticed Levi peeping from behind his old friend.

“Lew. I think you and Barb should sit down, you’ll be needing that drink.”

There was silence, a mute nod from Lew as he ushered Levi and Lance inside and closed the door. The house was cozy, Levi thought as he looked around. Wood floors were polished and had simple area carpets in certain spots, the walls were painted a dull red, with rooms being a dull brown, or cheery honey yellow as Levi passed by them. He was led into the dining room, Lance telling him to sit down and be quiet.

Nodding mutely, Levi did as he was told. He folded his hands and waited, looking around. The sound of paws padding into the room caught his attention, until a wet nose pawed its way under his arm and begged for attention with a whine. Grey eyes trailed down to look at the soppy brown ones of a golden retrieved mix. Hesitantly, his hand came to rest on his head, scratching behind his ears.

“Oh look at Bo, begging for strangers attention again.” A feminine chuckle came from the doorway as a gray-haired woman entered the room to take a seat. “Would you like tea, dear?” She asked Levi, causing him to stiffen.

“Yes please.” He managed to squeak out shyly, trying to avoid her gaze. It earned him a laugh.

“Such a shy one and polite, Quentin, don’t tell me he’s in trouble and you’re going to send him to work for us? We don’t really need anyone to clean our gutters.”

“No Barb, I’ll explain in a minute.”

“Okay,” Barb seemed puzzled, but went off to make tea.

“Have you figured out who they are?” Quentin Lance suddenly asked Levi, looking over at him. Their sharp eyes stared at one another, a silent duel of two people who had seen many traumas in life. Levi was the first to blink and look away.

“Yeah, I think so.”

Lance hummed in thoughtful response, Levi continuing to pet Bo as the dog relentlessly begged for attention.

After a few minutes, the four of them were settled at the table with respective warm drinks and alcohol in front of them. Quentin seemed nervous to be giving this news, but except for a small twitch of his fingers as he pulled out Levi’s birth certificate, his face didn’t show it. “Well?” Lew finally demanded.

“This young man came to the station today looking for Kaylee.” Suddenly the old, wizened eyes of the couple were on him.

“Oh my god…” Lew muttered, looking at Levi. Despite the fact Levi tried to keep his head down, he could feel them looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze, judging him, wondering how they would kick him out.

“He claimed to be Kaylee’s son, from…you know…”

Barb had to cover her mouth, her green eyes becoming watery. “Is he…?” She asked, her hand sliding over the table to reach out to him, but she stopped.

“Well, his birth certificate matches the records at the hospital, he was in the foster care system, hell when I first saw him I saw Kaylee in his face…”

“No wonder he looked familiar.”

“Levi.” Was all Barb could utter from her mouth, causing him to look up in slight shock. She knew his name? After eighteen years she remembered his name?

“Uh, yeah…I’m uh, Levi.” He fumbled over his words, scrunching his brows together. “I’m eighteen now, uh going to college next year for psychology and…needed to find some answers.”

“Oh Levi.”

Before he even knew it, Barb was coming around the table and hugging him. Her bony, frail, and old body was pressing into him, sobbing, as though he had been lost forever—which technically, he has. “We wondered where you had gone, we couldn’t take care of you when you were born with poverty, so Kaylee gave you up. Eventually we wondered what happened to you and called child services, they said you were adopted but we tried calling and never got an answer, we asked child services but they never responded, and eventually they told us you were off-charts or in a new home.” She garbled into his shoulder. “After Kaylee grew up, we wanted to see if we could find you and raise you, but they couldn’t find you, or didn’t try.”

There it was, Levi’s whole world could have been different if his adopted father wasn’t a bastard, if Casey hadn’t been manipulative, he had just stayed somewhere or not got into trouble then maybe the services would of got him in touch with his grandparents.

“I-It’s fine. I’ve been in a nice foster family, the Palchak’s, and they took care of me.”

“Good good! You’re so small, but then again, you have your mother’s genes. Her hair, her nose, my you’ve grown into a fine young man.” Barb practically attacked his face, tilting his head by the chin to examine every inch she never got to see grow up. “I bet you have ladies falling at your feet.”

“Uh-huh, uh…no. I didn’t want a long distance relationship, really. Or to put a girl through that either.”

Barb clucked, “so respectful! Where are you going to college?”

“The University of Phoenix.”

“Well no wonder! You must be intelligent, plus psychology is a difficult area to study. I’m sure you’ll do fine though.” She smiled, an infectious smile that caused Levi to smile back.

“So, Levi,” Lew now began. “What hobbies do you enjoy?”

“Oh, uh, I play a few instruments and I enjoy reading and learning history…I have been helping out with boy scouts for a year, but I wasn’t one though my foster brothers Aaron and Farlan are though.”

Lew smiled, “Very nice, not much of a sporty person? You don’t seem the football type.”

“No, no, I mean I used to play basketball when my height was average—believe it or not I was a few inches shorter last year—and tend to kick around the soccer ball with my siblings…but no school leagues.”

The questions continued on, before soon enough Barb was inviting Levi to spend the weekend here and they would invite Kaylee over to meet him—“she’ll be proud of you too and so excited!”—and Quentin Lance was being thanked and hugged by Barb for bringing him here as he left. Levi was led up to the guest room, putting his small weekend duffle bag in the corner. He was told to ‘not be shy’ but still asked if he may have a glass of water before bed.

“So darn polite!” Barb once again cooed, before scolding him and telling him their house was his when he stayed over.

[shades]

That night, Bo had curled up on the edge of the bed and Levi found himself waking up next to bad dog breath the next morning as he was sprawled over the bed.

The day had gone lovely, Barb was talking on the phone with Kaylee when he woke up, holding her finger to lips at him. “Yes, you must come to dinner tonight or tomorrow night, but soon! I think you can miss one meeting Kaylee, and Jeffrey can miss a day. I know, I know, but this is exciting news! No I can’t tell you, you have to see for yourself.”

“Okay, call me as soon as you know. Bye. Love you. Your dad sends his love too.”

Levi spent the day with Lew and Barb, only briefly taking an hour to once again, and rather excitedly, update Carolyn and Joseph. He learned many things about his family that day, particularly when they brought out the family photos. He knew Barb had mentioned he looked like his mother, but she meant it. Levi and his mother had the same colored hair, same face, nose, chin, and it looked like Levi had a few inches of height on her otherwise small figure.

His mother’s eyes were bright green, wide, and curious in each picture.

“It was so tragic when she was sixteen,” Barb told at some point when a solemn silence fell. “But you were a beautiful outcome.”

Levi learned that his thoughts were correct, his mother did end up marrying someone when she was twenty-eight years old, Jeffrey Carmichael. They had a daughter before marriage, Molly, who was six years old. The family lived in Detroit, only forty-five minutes away, and were quite happy as Barb would say.

“Don’t worry about Jeffrey, dear. He knows what your mother had been through and will be more than happy than to accept you.”

It wasn’t Jeffrey Carmichael he was afraid of, though. Levi was afraid of his own mother’s acceptance, and as the next day when they would come over for a family meal arrived, he became more edgy. Bo followed Levi around the house, often sitting on his lap and comforting him, licking his face and pawing his leg for attention.

“I swear, he’s such a cat sometimes. Bt he likes you, Bo knows family when he sees one.”

Each and every ticking moment, Levi sat anxiously on the couch and waiting for the knock on the door to come. Bo was laying across his lap, his stomach being absently scratched. Gunmetal grey eyes tried to focus on the television show Lew was watching, but his thoughts were ultimately elsewhere.

Knock knock knock knock knock

Bo jumped up and began barking, until hushed by Lew, but still the dog darted to the door.

“Bo!” A girl screeched as she entered, hugging the dog and petting him. Her mother told her to take off her shoes before she could running after the dog, her voice was somewhat neutral, a tone Levi often took up also. Oh god, that was his mother’s voice, a voice he had longed to hear since he was a kid.

“Okay mommy.” The girl, Molly he remembered the photos of her wide green eyes and brown hair. She ran, Bo coming back to Levi as he sat on the couch, surprising the girl who looked to Grandpa Lew, then to Levi and Bo. “Who’s he?” She asked the older man, who scooped her up into a hug.

“Someone important.”

“Liiike, Grandpa stop squishing me!”

“The President.”

The girl squealed, “he’s not the President.”

“Of the United States, no, but Canada…I could be, eh?” Levi deadpanned, looking at the girl with his most stoic expression.

“You look too mean to be Canadian.” Grandpa Lew chocked, laughing as he tussled the girl’s hair.

“Molly, Levi; Levi this is Molly.”

“Hi Levi!” Molly wiggled out of her Grandfather’s grasp and moved to sit on the other side of Bo, staring at Levi. “You look like mommy.”

Levi stiffened. “Maybe I should go ask her why.” With that, he abruptly stood up and made his way towards the kitchen, Bo following him. Molly whined about how her doggy was being stolen by the mean Canadian, and she pursued in hopes to catch the dogs attention.

“Moom, why did you insist we come out to eat this weekend?” Kaylee whined, her husband holding her as they stood in the kitchen to talk to the furiously cooking Barb.

“Because, you need to.”

“Why?”

“He’s your son.” Levi watched Kaylee stiffen, wormy her way away from her husband.

“What? What do you mean?” She asked frantically, Jeffrey moving forward to speak.

“I thought you had one son, from when you were a teenager—”

“That’s him.” Barb said smugly, looking over and spotting Levi in the doorway. “Why don’t you say hello?”

Kaylee turned around, noticing her son for the first time. Her green eyes widened, looking at Levi from across the room. They were both wide-eyed, Levi trying to take in everything before she disappeared and flat out told him to go away. From the features they shared, to her bright green eyes. They looked at each for a long time, Kaylee approaching him slowly.

“Levi?” She asked tentatively, his grey eyes looking up at her. The woman stopped, he could see the fear flash in her eyes but then it washed away and was replaced with something else. Contempt? Hate? Levi tried to pinpoint the emotion, struggling for a response.

“Y-Yes?” A large lump in his throat formed, he swallowed thickly, looking away. He didn’t expect the warm touch of her fingers on his cheek, trailing down to his chin and bringing his gaze back to hers.

“You grew up.” Were her words, tears forming in her eyes; shocking Levi nonetheless. His only instinct was to hug her, after eighteen years without his biological mother, he could finally hug her and receive the affection he wanted, needed, and craved for. He could feel her hot breath, and the salt droplets on his shoulder. “I never thought I’d see you again.” Kaylee—no his mother—wailed, feverishly pulling him over towards the tall man.

Jeffrey stood at six-foot-something and looked down upon Levi with a smile, “Levi, this is Jeffrey, he’s my husband and well,” his mother laughed. “Your step-father, I guess. Jeffrey, you know I had a son, I always told you I didn’t know where he was and what he looked like but, well.” She was laughing, smiling. Jeffrey was grinning too, patting Levi on the shoulder.

Apparently, this family had a thing for affection, because he was being pulled into another hug.—I could get used to this. Levi thought idly.

“Molly! Molly!” His mother called, the girl replying with a “coming mommy!”

Molly skipped in, seeing Levi embraced by her mother.

“Why are you crushing the mean Canadian?”

The people in the kitchen laughed, which was everyone since Lew somehow wandered in, but it was his mother who ultimately spoke. “Molly, this is Levi, he’s your older step-brother. He’s been gone, but now he’s back.”

The girl seemed confused, asked many questions about Levi. For example: “do you like unicorns? Do you like peas? Are you an adult? Do you know how to tie your shoes? Can you read? What’s your favorite color? Is it blue? Or green? Why did you leave? Did you want to leave? Why didn’t you come back sooner? Will you be my brother AND give me pony rides?”

Levi answered honestly, looking around as the family seemed to enjoy themselves getting to know Levi before dinner. Pictures were taken and sent to friends, and family. Levi found himself blowing up Carolyn’s phone, before his mother demanded her number to call and talk to the woman who raised Levi herself. Hoping to gather as many details about her unknown son as possible. Many of the pictures were laugh-worthy, Molly and Levi sticking tongues at each other as they fought over to be Bo’s favorite human, Levi standing in comparison to Jeffrey, a snuck picture of Levi laughing as Molly tickled him, then there was one Levi sent to Rose. It was of Levi, standing next to his mother and family. With the only text he sent to her was, “found them.”

For some odd reason, Levi really didn’t want to say good-bye.

[Maple ♥]

-MAJOR TIME SKIP-

Rose Palchak

    "Thank you," Rose nodded as she took her change from the barista, turning with her coffee to walk out of the Starbucks doors and out into the city. Her city. 

    The Big Apple itself.

    Rose had fallen in love with the city ever since she stepped off of the train for the first time and was completely overwhelmed with it. The smells, the temperatures, the obscene amount of people, all shapes and sizes, and most importantly, full of faces she never saw twice. Rarely did people have cars (though, after David, her step-father, got his new Mercedes Benz, he'd given her the nice Jeep he'd had for the passed three years), and everyone was always dressed to their fullest extent.

    Rose had to fit in, obviously, and that's why at this moment she was dressed in boot high heels, a low cut silk blue shirt, tight dark navy jeans, and a long Prada trench coat made with an inner lining of real rabbit fur. David had never wanted his step daughter to be anything but spoiled, and for a girl who had been raised in a home that practically shared every single belonging they had and never had boundaries, it had been a large shock. The flat he'd bought her, the car, the constant check every month just because he could. Her step-father had worked as the CEO of Marc Jacobs the fashion company for ten years and to say David had money, was a very large understatement. And for a long time, Rose hadn't been able to accept it, guilty beyond belief, but after a while, she was still level headed and wise with her money, but she did not refuse it. It always went to good use, whether charity, or her own financial issues. And hell, a few cute pairs of shoes could be thrown in by now and Rose would not feel horrible.

    The air was chilly outside, per usual for this time of year in New York, but it still sent her teeth to chattering slightly as she stepped through the waddling crowd with her upside down Caramel Macchiato; they were always fast pace, always going going and then gone. Everyone had something to do, somewhere to be, and never cautioned haste when getting there. They were rude, crude, and most times manipulative, but for some reason, Rose had fallen in love with it.

    Which was really the reason for her distancing herself more and more from Elmore.

    Or at least, that's what she told herself.

    Senior year had gone by for her so fast it almost hadn't even been worth it. During the entire year she hadn't made many friends due to her horrendous schedule as she scrambled to try and get all her credits together for college as well as work part-time at Marc Jacobs with David and help her mother with her children as a part-time nanny when not at school and when Angelica was at work (she worked at GOTHAM Magazine as a lead editor despite her age. Everyone knew who to go to for help in that place, and it was always Angelica the wise owl). When Rose did finally get a break, it was always scooped up by applying to colleges or passing out in her room for eight hours so that she could get semi-caught up on her sleep she'd missed for almost everyday the whole school year. 

    But, in the end, she'd pulled it off. Graduating with a whopping 4.3 GPA and with Honors, Rose was asked to speak at graduation alongside their school's valedictorian who had befriended her toward the end of their senior year and insisted she get a spot to share intellectual wisdom. But it was funny, that even when she had practiced her speech for weeks, the only thing that had talked about on stage was her life, back in Elmore, and the boy she had fallen in love with there.

    "That's why, class of 2015," she'd said out into the large crowd, a smile plastered onto her face though still contempt with a slight tinge of longing to be back to those places she had once known. "You do not ever give up in what you want. Because in the end, it will come to you if you work your tail off enough to grasp it." 

    Angelica had sent that video to Levi without Rose's knowledge. But Angelica knew he'd appreciate it as much as she had. 

    Next, came her scrambling to get everything ready for the college she'd been accepted to; Sarah Lawerence College (aka the most expensive college in all of the United States). And she'd gotten a full ride to study what she'd always dreamed of doing: majoring in Creative Writing and minoring in Special Needs and Disabled Educational Studies. Her family back home, they probably never thought of Rose to do the impossible. Yet, while in her Freshman year of college, Rose wrote a book. And sophomore year, it got published. And two months ago, it was on the New York Times best sellers list. 

    And here's something even crazier: the main character was a boy dealing with Aspergers, but also a boy who went on many adventures with his two side kicks Delilah, who was blind but could hear everything as if she could see, and Damian, who was in a super high-tech wheel chair but still able to kick serious butts as the squad saved the world. And the US's literary field ate it up.

    Not only was Rose making a good living off of that, but she was just a few months away from graduating her degree and after that was accomplished, she'd hopefully be taking on Angelica's job while writing the sequel's to her books on the side. A major Editor at Gotham Magazine and a New York Times best selling author. What more could a girl want?

    Yes, Rose had had boyfriends since Levi. And maybe it was just a girl thing, but since him, nothing had been that good. Every guy that came along was always horribly let down when the next day after wanting to get serious, Rose turned them down. She was still a virgin, though, using the excuse of "no sex until marriage" (though she could really not care less). When in actuality, Rose didn't know what was holding her back. And stupidly enough, Levi came into her thoughts a lot.

    Blinking blue eyes out of her thoughts, Rose looked down at her hand now buzzing inside her pocket due to her phone and grabbing it quickly, she brought the screen up so she could see the text she'd just received. 

    Eldest Sis: ok, meet you there in five

    With a smile, Rose pocketed her phone again with a quick reply and kept moving as her heels clopped the cement loudly as she walked for her destination, long, layered pony tail trailing out behind her. 

    Jane and Marco had announced their engagement last year, around the time Rose's third year of college was coming to a close, and ever since, had begged Rose to help her plan the entire thing because, well, Jane still didn't talk very much. And if you were trying to plan a wedding, that was a very hard situation. So, Rose and Jane had made a team the last couple of months, living not far from each other after Jane and Marco had moved into the city in pursuit of Rose's footsteps, and now, the wedding was only a month away.

    Stepping toward the building, Rose blinked up at the large sky scraper. This was where her flat was, on floor 88, and overlooking the whole city like a dream. She'd bought it after the revenue of her book had went sailing and she was able to get a bit more from David (promising to pay it off, of course) before she'd done it in the kind of spur of the moment thing. Now, Jane was going to meet Rose there to talk about invitations for the wedding. 

    Twenty minutes later, Rose and Jane sat at Rose's kitchen table, sipping coffees and stuffing their faces with small snacks while going over the invitation list they'd started months ago, but never finished.

    "Ooo, hot cousin Alan! Is he still hot?" Rose squinted down at the paper, taking a sip of her coffee and then clicking over to her touch screen on the table to stalk his Facebook. With a grimace, she closed out of the window. "No, no he is definitely not."

    Just shaking her head, Jane shuffled through the envelopes in front of her with a small smile on her thin lips. Rose had always envied Jane's dark complexion that gave her a very exotic look, and especially now that they were older. Rose would pay hundreds of dollars for a nice tan when Jane already had a permanent one. Not only that, but Jane had always had long, curly brown hair and nice, floating brown eyes and it had taken Rose years for her to stop comparing herself to her sister of the same age as her. Now, though, they couldn't be closer friends.

    Moving along, they zipped through 'yea's' or 'no fucking way's' for a good other twenty minutes before Jane's hand suddenly shot up amidst the mess they'd made in front of them and Rose sleepily jerked to full attention. "Shit Jane. What?" she asked, heart racing from being startled, but then the beating organ stopped when she saw the look on her sisters face. A smirk. A knowing, mischievous smirk. "What are you smirking about?" Rose asked her hesitantly.

    Without a word, Jane pushed back her chair with a screech along the nice wood floors before sashaying her way around Rose's chair with the envelope in her hand dangling out near Rose's face. Obviously, Rose snatched it to see, too curious not to. And it big, cursive and fancy letters, the name printed on the envelope made Rose's mouth go dry.

    Levi Anderson.

    Now, what had she expected? The whole Palchak gang was obvious coming to the wedding. But...Levi was a rockstar now. And that wasn't metaphorically either. He literally was playing in his band around the country (as well as some places in Canada) and gaining mega celebrity points. Rose always saw him here or there, plastered on the gossip magazines or online as an add for tickets to one of his upcoming shows. Of course, Rose had never attended one of his concerts and most certainly hadn't talked to him for a long ass time. 

    Three years. It'd been three years. 

    Since then, they were always just missing each other. Him leaving the day before her showing up for a show in Texas or her leaving two weeks before he was going to make a stop by to see Carolyn and Joseph. She still talked to them and the rest of the family for the most part; a phone call here, a text here. She'd even texted Levi a few things, but never really got responses, and she respected that...she guessed. It was just strange with him being famous and all. Never in her life had Rose expected to see the first love of her life/foster-brother on TMZ reports or songs playing on the radio as she drove to school (it was on the other side of Manhattan).

    For a long time she stared at that envelope and too late realized Jane was still smirking at her knowingly. With a gasp of disbelief, Rose threw the envelope at her as Jane ran and giggled. "Stop that, you're being stupid," Rose rolled her eyes with a laugh. Soon, Jane picked up the envelope and sat back in her chair, tilting her head at her sister knowingly. But Rose just shook her head, "I haven't talked to him in three years Jane. That's such a long time," Rose ran her hands down her face. Jane reached forward and patted her hand before smiling softly and adding Levi to the INVITE pile to their left, Rose's eyes never leaving the envelope even after Jane had pulled away. "We're both so different now. And I know you and Marco have a bet going to see if we're going to end up together or not," Rose looked at her pointedly and Jane let out a laugh because hell, it was true. Sighing, Rose leaned back, "But...that ship sailed a long, long time ago. I chose my path. And it wasn't with Levi Anderson. Shrugging, she acted as if sorting through more invites was still important, picking up one and looking at Jane hopefully. "How about Uncle Roderick? The really creepy one who always spiked the punch at the reunions or barbecue's?"

    Instead of pushing it, Jane just shook her head in amusement and continued to nod yes or no to the names. 

    But as the night when on, and weeks turned into days, and days turned into hours, it was the day of Jane and Marco's wedding. 

    And all that was on Rose's mind was Levi Nicholas Anderson. 

[shades]

Levi Anderson ; ;
Three years, three fucking years he’d been in a band. Many people compared their rise to fame to One Direction, seemingly out of nowhere and all hot men. That was a quote from a magazine, but Zachary had quickly stated while reading, “I’m not hot, I’m fucking sexy.” The only difference between them, Phoenix Fire, and One Direction was they were a band. One Direction was a petty boy group of singers, or at least that would be what Zach would rant about when they get compared side-by-side.

It wouldn’t be until Roxas, Mike, or Levi threw a shoe at him. They all loved Zach, he was the talker where Levi and James were not, and made them look more social than they actually were.

Yeah, they agreed to interviews, but a lot of the gossip was exactly that: gossip.

They didn’t let them know where any of them lived. Nobody knew their email addresses. Levi had to go full privacy on Facebook where eventually he went “Fuck it” and deleted his, just relying on his phone and whatever Roxas and Zach hatched up for their band Twitter and shit.

As a band, they got along like brothers. Roxas was the loudest one, Levi swore he was half-deaf with all the drumming, and the prankster. Not only that, he let his true personality shine on stage whenever the hell he wanted, once he asked one of the stage-hands to poor glitter on Zach during the last song. Let’s just say it started a small war of glitter that left Levi, and reluctantly dragging Mike and James, into a cleaning frenzy. He also came up with the idea of ‘shooting each other with nerf guns’ as a way to resolve problems.

Mike ate the last Girl Scout cookie? Shot.

Zach is being annoying? Shoot him, but also use a shoe.

Levi is being a sarcastic asshole? BOOM HEADSHOT.

Then there is James, he’s the “bay-beeeeeeeeee” according to Mike. At a young age of still not allowed to legally drink alcohol, he came with a girlfriend package and talent. Pure talent. The story on how they brought him along is complicated, but he remembered they were being yelled at by their manager as to why they weren’t at the studio recording, when a few days later they appear with another young man instead of Lucas, and girl. Hey, they needed a new member and they found one on their own, he isn’t even a drug-using asshole.

Which is a bonus to the four assholes already in the group.

When it came down to Mike, Levi, Zach, and Roxas; the four of them met at the University of Phoenix, they studied there, became friends, and eventually learned of each other musical talents. From there, the band blossomed. Levi and Zach would write songs in the library and common areas, with Mike and Roxas giving their own ‘inputs’ on words that rhymed with orange.

They were determined to start right, if they wanted to play major gigs in the area, they had to have at least five songs ready. All original, they agreed that it’s fun to play songs they enjoy from other artists on stage, but they also had to be taken seriously as a band. So, the band began. It wasn’t until sophomore year that Phoenix Fire (named after the University itself because they really lacked creativity) started having to drive out of state for gigs.

It was a professor who had ‘connections’ and got them to Los Angeles.

At first, the boys were going to continue studying college online full-time, then it dwindled to part-time, til’ eventually they all said “fuck it” to school and got a two-year degree, and would take classes when convenient for them.

Let’s go to present day, Levi and Mike. They had received a letter from Jane and Marco for their wedding. Mike had known Marco in highschool, they lived close to each other actually, but got to know each other better when both boys began living at the Palchak household…theoretically.

“It’s in New York.”

“I know.”

“Don’t we have a show there a week before we go on World Tour?” Yeah, Phoenix Fire had achieved a entitlement of going on ‘world tour’ and performing in many countries, France, England, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, here and there, Levi couldn’t remember really.

“Yeah.”

“Should we just stay, and meet up at the airport, the wedding is a day before we leave.”

“Yeah.”

So, it was sort of planned. While Roxas, James, and Zach were free to go wherever they wanted after New York, Mike and Levi would stick around for awhile until wedding day. They would go back to a hotel room, sleep, and then get ready to leave themselves. Levi knew Rose was in New York, but there was the guilt that washed over him every time. He didn’t know what to say, “sorry I became famous and don’t have contact with you much anymore.” Yeah, that would go along well. Mike was the only person who knew of Rose having Levi’s heart, though the rest of the band knew Levi wasn’t a virgin…he had snorted when Roxas asked that question. And they constantly tried to hook the ever lonely man for some dates.

Sometimes, it just ended up as Mike and Levi, bachelors extraordinaire. Or, as some of their fangirls would say, “they so gay for each other.”

They weren’t. But some of the shit they did and way they acted sometimes would cause Roxas to shout, “HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU TWO STRAIGHT.”

“I’m not.” Levi snorted, “I’m straight-ish.”

But Mike raised his hand, “I’m a fucking line.”

Good times.

Levi opened the door to the hotel on the wedding day of Marco and Jane, he and Mike beginning the brisk walk to where the bride and groom would be married. They attempted to inconspicuous, sunglasses, baseball caps, coats, trying to hide as many of their features as they could. It wasn’t that they disliked being stopped by fans, but because Mike took to damn long in the shower, they had to hurry.

And hurry meant, don’t stop.

It was two minutes after the wedding would began, Levi taking off his hat, and swiping off Mike’s. They ditched the coats and sunglasses, revealing their nice and formal clothing. Mike was wearing a bowtie with his white shirt and black slacks, and Levi was wearing a tie and vest with his blue shirt and slacks. The priest was talking as Levi and Mike entered the opened doors and found seats in the back.

Mike waved at Jane and Marco enthusiastically, tugging Levi’s arm and pointing to his short friend, and their brother technically. It was a proud, ’we’re here and look, I brought Sir Grumps’ face.

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

It was the day they'd all been waiting for. And now, everything was happening, finally. No more stress about the flowers or color scheme or dress fittings or RSVP sorting. Rose had successfully pulled off helping Jane plan an elegant, yet not too over the top navy blue, gold, and white themed wedding. One that was gorgeous but also reasonable in price range, and had turned out relatively smoothly (except for the cake, it was going to be a bit late but Marco had assured the screaming-over-the-phone-threatening-to-kill-the-cake-place-Rose that it was perfectly okay that they weren't eating cake at eight oh seven but at eight thirty instead.

Rose was obviously the Maid of Honor, because duh, she was not married, and duh, she and Jane were the closest. But her other bridesmaids included the two junior brides maids Annie and Mei Lei (who were pretty much Jane's children already), Zoey (she was looking older now, not as awkward, and Rose noticed some of the younger men in the room glancing her way. She'd have to get Harry in on that one), as well as Harry's fiancé Sam who he had met by being on the show the Bachelor (long story), and last but not least, Carolyn, who was the Matron of Honor and stood by Rose's side. The flower girl had been Jade, Angelica's now six year old daughter and Marco's nephew who was the ring bearer.

On Harry's side, the boys of the Palchak's minus Levi, Harry as the best man, and (whoever else Shades wishes to add). Now strapping young boys, they goofed off sometimes like Tommy elbowing Farlan in the gut and Aaron trying to shush them before the took the attention off the bride and groom. A couple rows back Angelica and

As for Rose's dress, it was different than the other brides maids just like Harry's tux was different on Marco's side (a tradition in the Palchak family apparently). It was navy, yes but with hints of gold over the shoulder. 




Since Rose had grown up, so had her figure. She was no longer stick thin with minor assets to help her, rather now fitting a fuller chest and larger back side. The dress hugged tight to her curves, flowing out in a simple train in the back. Her hair, though still blond, was hinted with red hues to it and curled around her professionally make-uped face. Because, let's be honest here, she'd done a few modeling jobs Freshman year and learned a thing or two about how to make herself look flawless, even though she didn't need to do so to feel good about herself. Of course, though, she did not look better than the bride. 




As the pastor went through the ropes and Rose held onto her two flower bouquets (both her own and Jane's), her light cobalt eyes scanned over the crowd, taking her master piece in. Drapes of chiffon, dazzling lights and chandeliers above. And oh, look, Jane's biological grandfather on oxygen and whom did not speak English had made it. That made Rose happy, smiling softly and glancing up at the videographer, the photographer, Levi, Mr. Jones and his kids (the only nice neighbors the Palchak's ever had), Mrs. Woodly and her seeing eye dog Chloe and-

Stopping short, her gaze bounced back to the very back of the room, where only those on the stage could see really, Rose's heart jumped into her throat at the sight of him. She knew what he looked like; everyone knew who levi fucking Anderson looked like now. His face was practically plastered on every billboard in New York, talking about his upcoming world tour or selling his merchandise on the street stands. As a joke, Harry had gotten his Phoenix Fire calendar for Rose last Christmas and it'd depicted many sides of Levi's chiseled chin and baby soft lips pursed alongside his gunmetal, gloriously grey eyes. Not that she had it hanging in her closet or anything. But it was the one thing she could stand to look at about his band and not feel a bit of resentment toward it. Three years...

That was a long time to think over the boy who had fucked you over (but you technically did it to yourself) and definitely more than enough time to build a certain grudge against him. 

And what made her even more mad was the fact that just by the actual sight of him, Levi still made her damned heart skip a beat. 

Just stay calm Rose. You can't show him you care still. You were the one who always fucking cared. Now it's your turn to be the stone. No emotion. Just business and held back feelings. 

[shades]

Okay, okay, we have to ramble about the Palchak family a bit at the wedding; don’t we? Nothing too exciting, really, except they have grown up into fine young men and women. Carolyn would be sobbing at the thought of her children practically growing up in front of her eyes, and she didn’t even know if she wanted to start gathering new bunches of kids as they had started to leave the nest. Honestly, she was thinking of retirement; but then the thought of children always pleased her, especially when she had none who were born of her womb.

Zoey had grown up nicely into a fine young woman, after Levi, Rose, Harry, and Jane (well she and Marco didn’t go very far at first), Zoey and Tommy became the ones in charge. The atmosphere changed with age, particularly for the exuberant young girl. For one, as she continued through school in honors classes, less of her time was spent with the family and working on National Honor Society, Envirothon, and other academics that would get her scholarships for college. She grew taller, about 5’6 in height. As puberty began to hit her full force, there were often times when Zoey would get embarrassed as older guys began to hit on her. Luckily, she was a smart girl and wasn’t into the party scene, or the lifestyle of some of the Elmore kids.

The young woman had decided that yes, she loved science; and despite her possibility of doing some hardworking, obscure Microbiotics or Biological Engineering, something that required effort. Zoey wanted to do something more proactive with her science capabilities and instead went to college for forensics and minoring in nursing.

Every time she returned home, Zoey would grumble about the workload, and was always doing homework. Thankfully she had gotten a lot of aid, grants, and scholarships to help her through the over-priced books and stethoscope. Oh once she got that baby for a class, Zoey was bouncing on the falls and listening to heartbeats. It was funny how every once in awhile, the fifteen year old side of Zoey would return. She couldn’t have any pets at college, but her tarantula had died, and her bearded dragon, Bean, was being taken care of by Farlan. But the boy had explained he didn’t have very long, and was growing old and lethargic.

Ah, Aaron and Farlan. Aaron had joined high school and instantly becoming the ‘Captain America’ so to speak. He joined ROTC, played football for one year as a half-back, he was good-natured, good-looking, and easily the sweetest boy. He would open doors for elderly and ladies alike, and in college the National Guard and ROTC programs. His blue eyes alighted on Marco, a small smile on his face. His grandmother was in the crowd today watching too, his grandfather had passed away a few years ago to a heart failure, as she was proudly watching a young woman her grandson grew up with and her grandson today.

Farlan, well, he grew. At seventeen years old and panicking at what he should do with life, Farlan was becoming a rather fine, sweet young man who can’t seem to fit into a normal, nice crowd. With Aaron gone, he was the oldest in the house, and the only man left beside Joseph. To say that the testosterone level dropped dramatically would be an understatement. He was basically any teenage boy, he played basketball still and was a valued player (come on, he’s a whopping 6’2” now) and soccer, he often hid in his room with earbuds in doing homework, reading, and let’s face it: getting confused as the why girls keeping asking for him to send him pictures of you know…it. Farlan never saw himself as attractive, he saw himself as a confused, and depressed adolescent who often times has thought of quitting sports just so the constant expectations of pictures and partying would end. Yeah, unlike sweet Aaron who never partied, and Zoey, Farlan was in the crowd that pretended he was ‘sleeping over’ but really going out to smoke and drink. He didn’t do much of it, Farlan often volunteered designated driver even when his “friends” would say: “Dude, we’re just gonna crash here, get smashed, find a lady to sex up.” Yet he never did more than a smoke or two, and a few drinks.

They had grown up.

Both Aaron and Farlan had been chosen to be groomsmen, simply because Marco had no idea who else to pick. Marco himself had friends, yes, they were in the crowd (or the ones who lived in the area, or carpooled up) and watching with glee. Yet, he never really got to know them like he got to know the Palchak family. The only non-Palchak groomsman was his cousin Connie, only because he was about Annie’s height and to even up the number.

Annie, she was bittersweet to say the least. Though the girl wouldn’t admit it, she took on after Levi quite well. Okay, she’s only fifteen at the moment, but already has she become confused and sexually frustrated at the busty girls, and the young men. It makes her want to scream. She grew up too fast, unfortunately, and already caught attentions of stupid seniors. You know, that syndrome when a senior boy wants to date or take the freshman girl to prom? Yeah, Annie despised falling for that trap once, thinking he liked her when he really just wanted to get in her pants. She thought that maybe someone wanted to get by the cold exterior to the sweet nature that Annie could be, only around family and close friends. Or the shy girl that just wants to fit in, not be taken advantage of, she was short at 5’1, slim but not curvy, but she learned to throw around her weight with only Farlan and Aaron to hang out with. Being in a dress and having her blonde hair done up was new to her, and catching the stares of boys was making her uncomfortable.

The wedding would go well, Marco assured Rose and Jane; and it did. His freckled features remained the fame, his hair had gotten cut in the recent years to something he said was a bit more ‘mature’. He and Jane were young, still college age, but capable. This was something he and her wanted, before loans had to be paid off, and to ensure that they could stay together. Though, that wouldn’t be a problem. Two mild-mannered, and loyal people they were; so even if they other did have a problem, it was a mere talk, suggestion, or silent attempt to fix it from either of them.

It worked well, Marco loved her, she loved him, and he intended to keep it this way as a family.

The young man looked nervously across the crowd before the wedding, but seeing what Jane looked like, and able to look into her eyes; soak in the features that were forever his, he was able to calm down enough. The wedding would go fine, honestly, so long as they were married with family watching them…they were happy.

When it finally came to the “I do’s” and kissing, the world could of ended and Marco wouldn’t even know it.

But hey, it was the reception next. He had asked Rose for something small, not fancy, “no we are not going to bug Levi to have his band perform.” Marco had laughed when it came up about music, “Jane and I will write some songs we want for specific dances, but otherwise, just go with appropriate and fun.” They would be in a room that could accommodate everyone at the wedding, with tables for the guests, the wedding party, food, and an area to dance. They had decided since the church had a room big enough, they would just hold the reception there. It’s enough stress having a wedding, but moving a whole crowd of people from one place to another would of made it chaotic.

So, it was simple, dance, eat, talk, what normally happens at weddings. Marco had only been to one other besides his own, so he just was doing as Rose told him to do, and how rehearsal said had to be done. And he was sure that the other men and women were following his lead.

It would turn out alright, because Marco noticed every Palchak and most guests he recognized attended for in the crowd (Levi made it, oh how happy Jane and Rose would be). So, to say the reception wouldn’t be happy, Marco was confident Jane would have the best times in her life.

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    As the ceremony ended and reception began, ushers began leading people toward the separate room that the dancing, eating, and drinking from the fully stocked bar would take place in. When Jane and Marco had walked out to re-make their grand entrance in about twenty minutes, Rose helped the ushers direct the guests and finally, when everyone was settled into the reception room, finding their seats and designated tables and what not, Rose stood back a little from the door and sighed happily. Everything was going smoothly, and it was a huge relief for her to stand back for a second and take all her work in. Hell, if she hadn't been an author already, she might consider looking into being a wedding planned. But, she told herself, they didn't get paid as much.

    Hands clasped before her, holding her bouquet after returning Jane's to her, Rose watched the reception begin, music starting and chatter arising with it. Soon there would be the toasts, then dinner, then the first dances (Rose's personal fav: the money dance), the dances with the parents, then cake, then garter/bouquet toss, and then finally, seeing them off to their honeymoon. Just. Like. She'd. Planned it.

    Sighing, Rose looked down at her dress and smooth some of the fabric down, trying to catch her thoughts and nerves and emotions all into one breath. She didn't need to panic. Levi was around here, she'd say hello casually, tell him it was nice to see him, and then, she'd move on. Just like she had after they'd parted ways. Rose had moved on.

    Or had she.

[shades]

Levi watched as the reception began happening around him, Mike was content with catching up with the few high school friends that came from college or Elmore, even some neighbors, and shoved Levi towards Carolyn and Joseph’s direction. He quickly made his way towards them, getting hugs and a kiss to the forehead from them. “How are you? Have you been eating enough? You’re not doing anything bad like Justin Bieber, right? No pot? No getting drunk? Are you taking care of Mike? Making sure he behaves?” The questions continued on and on until Annie decided to come towards him.

She was delighted to see Levi after his absences and only coming around when he could, she practically tackled him for a hug; though thankfully Levi was quite literally able to sweep her around in circles. “Annie! You’ve grown up quite a bit.”

The girl smiled, looking down shyly. “Yeah.” It wasn’t long before the rest of the Palchak’s began approaching him, Mei next, Harry clapping him on the back, Zoey looking at Levi as they were about the same height (she had a few centimeters on him) and grinning, “shorty”. Farlan nervously saying hello as Levi looked up the damned big ass trees he and Aaron became. Tommy too greeting him.

There was one who hadn’t approached him, Levi seeking the blonde hair and wide eyes he really wanted to see and apologize to.

“Over there.” Mike had come up, smirking as he pointed to where Rose is, reading Levi’s thoughts. “She’s quite busy, though you can just snag her for a dance. By the way, I kill the DJ if he plays a song of ours because we’re in the crowd.”

“Deal.”

Levi began trying to make his way over to Rose, but got held up by Ms. Scott, Marco’s mother. And once again Annie ran around childishly trying to avoid her paired up groomsman, Connie. “No, get away.” She snarled, grappling Levi’s leg.

Marco and Jane once again came in. The young adult groaned, he just wanted to talk to Rose, damn it!

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    Since Rose had already said her hello's to the Palchak fam before the ceremony, she was now solely focused on getting everything going correctly. Moving along the outskirts of the room (and passing the catering kitchen she peeked in and offered about a few snappy orders), Rose followed where the long wedding party's table was and where everyone would convene in a few minutes (per her telling the DJ he better fucking follow the schedule perfectly or she'd personally make his life a living hell), Rose set down her things in her spot beside where Jane would sit and clapped as she saw the two love birds making their grand entrance. 

    "Now, without further or do, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Marco Scott!"

    People hollered and cheered as Jane clutched onto Marco's hand and they walked through the crowd of their family and friends, all smiles. Hugs were given (of course, they'd greet everyone they could throughout the night), but they didn't have long before the DJ ushered them to their seats, along with the wedding party.

    Sitting up next to Rose, Jane squeezed her sisters hand excitedly, radiant in her white dress and veil still, teeth brilliant every time she smiled (it was constant). Rose scrunched her nose in response, so happy for her sister, but still being plagued by the stress of everything happening around her. 

    Just calm down already Rose. Stressing isn't going to make everything go smoothly.

    Sighing, she listened closely for her cue to do her toast to them. It would be starting soon. 

[shades]

Levi Anderson ; ;
Since Levi sort of was the lone wolf, he was at a table near the wedding party, but not at the wedding party table. Instead, he and Mike were with the crowd watching up at the toasting before eating. It just went down the line, Harry (the best man), Rose (the maid of honor), then other people , Marco and Jane, finally Carolyn and Joseph and Marco’s mother.

Levi listened, though he wasn’t really close to Marco except for threatening him and eventually saying “fine” when he asked for a polite blessing (though Levi was surprised when Marco asserted himself that he was going through it with Harry’s and Joseph’s blessing, but thought he’d be kind and ask for Levi’s as well). Really, he just dazed off into space, particularly when Rose began speaking he was once again lost in her lip movements and how it was nice kissing them. 

Marco had made a lovely thank-you speech about the support, family, and how wonderful it was that they all be here and blah blah. Levi lost track of time, but he listened sort of.

“Food time?” Mike asked, looking over to where the wedding party was standing. “Or dancing? You know, those waltzing lessons from Roxas would have swept some girls off their feet, hey, did you notice some girls looking at us earlier? We got recognized, and better be wary. I only promise a dance to the bride, siblings, and you.”

The dark haired man shook his head, “we’re not dancing together.”

“Not even to ‘A Whole New World’? I can be your carpet~”

“Mike, you are the gayest straight line I know.”

“I’m honored for that title, but if it doesn’t work out with Rose, just remember I’ll be your date.”

“I think I’d rather of asked James for his sister or girlfriend if I needed a date.”

“Yeowch.”

They bickered, but Levi was really just trying to pass the time until he could talk to Rose, try and explain himself, something to at least make her forgive him for being an asshole for doing what he did. He told her to let him go, and it seemed she did from his perspective. Levi was glad to see Rose wasn’t with a man of her own, but instead the only man she was giving…well it wasn't affection…when roughly  she had tugged Harry’s bowtie to straighten it earlier.

His grey eyes darted around, tapping at the table impatiently. “I should say hello to Marco and Jane.”

“You should also congratulate them while you’re up there.”

“Smart ass.”

“I got into college, didn’t I?”

Finally, Levi just got up and headed toward the bride and groom. He gave Jane a small smile, “sorry Mike and I were late, Mike has desperate hair problems and we had to go incognito or else, ugh, people.” Levi wringed his hands as he apologized.

Marco laughed, “you showed up, that’s all that matters.”

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    Rose sat beside Jane still after her toast (it was cute, duh) wiping her eyes, thankful for her sister that though she was not of blood, she loved with all her heart. She clutched Jane's hands happily until there was a tap on her shoulder.

    "Um, er, ma'am?" one of the ushers asked her from down below the upheld wedding parties table. His cheeks were flushed as he scratched back of his neck. "We have a slight problem with the food."

    "Fucking shit."

    Getting up quickly with her dress held up in her hands so she didn't trip, Rose angrily said sorry to Jane before stomping after the usher in a fit of curse words and threats. 

    It was right before Levi had got there, too, though she was too overwhelmed to notice.

    When Levi approached, Jane got up and hugged him tightly to her over the table, grinning wildly. Always a girl of few words, she simply said, "I always miss you," quietly before sitting back down and griping Marco's hand to hers, beaming over at him happily. Then, she turned to see that her sister was gone and frowned, making knowing eye contact with Levi before giving him a shrug and a flat lipped smile, not knowing where she'd gone off to.

[shades]

“So do I. I’ll definitely come visit more often.” The young man smiled, following Jane’s gaze towards Rose. His lips formed into a barely noticeable pout. He wanted to follow her, but knew that while being stressed out with trying to make the wedding perfect. He once again hugged Jane, “congratulations, if you’re happy then I am satisfied.”

Levi shot Marco his signature death glare, but he smirked.

He turned quietly, trying to spot Rose; grey eyes anxious as he gave up to return to his table.

[Maple ♥]

Rose Palchak

    "You're lucky I don't call your fucking manager," Rose spat out, angry beyond return at this point, and marched out the kitchen. 180 stakes not being cooked for her guests like she'd planned. Instead, they would all be having chicken.

    She didn't want to bother Jane, though, who had just planted a kiss on Marco's mouth and made the whole room cheer in salutes to it, so Rose told the DJ of the mishap and then moved on. Sighing, Rose once again smoothed down her dress and headed for her seat. Maybe she could enjoy her night.

    Maybe. 

    "Ladies and gentleman, it's time for the first dance of the evening. Dinner is going a bit slower than usual, but that's perfectly okay because we still have much to attend to! All right. Would everyone please join the bride and the groom on the dance floor as a personal invitation to not be alone for their first dance," the DJ explained and slowly everyone began getting up to go to the middle of the dance floor in which all the tables surrounded. 

    Stepping back to admire it, Rose leaned against one of the walls and snagged a drink off of a waiters tray, downing it in under a second before taking one more and doing the same. She really needed to loosen up a bit. Rose was afraid if she didn't she might bite off one of the workers heads and she just wasn't in the mood for jail that night.

    As Marco and Jane began their waltz with other couples swaying along with them (some little kids too), Rose was instantly taken back to one of the only times she'd danced with someone other than David or the Palchak's weird cousin Bobby was with Levi. Before Prom, when he'd OD'd and she'd almost lost him forever. He'd danced with her because she wasn't able to go to the dance her junior year, and she'd decided in that moment that she had fallen heavily for him.

    But now, as she watched the others dance in reminder of that, she didn't know what to feel or how she was feeling about Levi. And she was finding it strange he hadn't come up to talk to her. What was his problem? Was he mad at her? Fucking Levi, he always used to get mad at her for things she didn't even do. Were they still playing this little game? Well, this time, Rose wasn't going to be the one to chase him.

    Not ever again.