And The Show Begins

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

HOLD YOUR BREATH BECAUSE TONIGHT WILL BE THE NIGHT
• that i will fall for you, don't make me change my mind •

Ayden wasn't revoking her love for Caleb. Hell, she'd tried to before and it hadn't worked. Why would now be any different from all those times? Now, when she needed it more than ever before. How could she let it go? But, she couldn't take the rejection from him, too. Her own parents were blaming things on her, pushing her away and feeding the roaring, self-hating beast that was slowly winning over her. Caleb, though... he was both supporting it and killing it at the same time. He kept saying he loved her, but then, when she tried to prove her own love for him, he'd push her away. Ayden was so confused and, now, angry. Were all men this damn confusing?

Her back stiffened as Caleb's arms slipped around her waist. He was touching her now, after just killing off any efforts she was making towards him? Part of her was tempted to smack him. The other part was enjoying the feeling of his lips pressing against her bare shoulder. Gosh, she needed to clear her head and forget about this. He didn't want her; he was like them. He didn't want her.

Ayden remained stiff in his arms, the tempermental side of her flaring as he spoke. Part of the anger was from pure and utter confusion; confusion about him, and about this sudden wave of emotions that kept sweeping over her every time his skin brushed hers now. The rest of her was pissed off because he didn't understand. It was her fault, all of it was her fault. It was her fault he kept pushing her away; she wanted something he didn't, and she just couldn't get it through her stubborn mind. It was her fault her parents were tight on money; if she'd stayed home and gone to community college, they would've all had so much to spare and live comfortably with. If she wouldn't have been so selfish, maybe her parents lives wouldn't be ruined.

"Get off me, Caleb Turner," she snapped, stepping away from him once more and standing on the otherside of her room, putting the bed between them as sort of a barrier. His words weren't true, none of them were. He was wrong. This was her fault. And, now, even he was pushing her away, confusing her just like her parents were doing. "You don't understand," she whispered, looking at him for one long moment, millions of emotions spiraling in her big blue eyes. That feeling of loneliness was swirling around her again as she stared at him, thinking of all the reasons why he should walk out on her, too. She used him too much, he finally got sick of dealing with her temper, she was too selfish for someone as caring and loving as him to be around.

She turned around, putting her back to him once more and walking up to her closet to grab one of the crumpled t-shirts off the floor that was, again, more than likely Caleb's. His clothes somehow drifted into Ayden's room most of the time and, usually, he had to fight to get them back. Without a second thought, she pulled off her tight-fitting tank top, leaving only her bra covering her skin. To make matters worse, it was green, his favorite color which she knew very well. But, he'd seen her like this while he measured for his designs. And, it wasn't like she didn't wear bikinis often enough during the summer. Shaking the thoughts off, Ayden tugged on the t-shirt, snatching a pony-tail holder off the floor, as well, and tying the shirt back with it.

She turned back to Caleb, lips pressed tightly together in an effort to keep them from quivering with the heartbreak coursing through her body. But, she couldn't hold back the frustrations that sprung to her tongue as she looked at him again. "If you want in my pants so badly why do you keep pushing me off you? I throw myself at you like some sort of whore and you still say no! I'm not up for playing games right now, Caleb, especially not with this," she shouted at him, tears of anger forcing themselves down her cheeks.

I WON'T LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY, I SWEAR IT'S TRUE
• because a guy like you is impossible to find •

TAG: The Adorkable Roomie <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Lap. Mhm. ;3
WORDS: 750!
MUSIC: "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade
OUTFIT: Check!?
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

He felt like shit. He could finally say that he and Ayden were together and now? What? They were breaking up already? Having their first, and quite possibly last fight as a couple? He was usually good with problems, with Ayden’s temper, stubbornness, attitude, but how the hell does one deal with all three at once and not know every bit of information behind the reason. He had most, he’d admit, and he was trying to help her deal with it, but when he made a move to help, she made a move against it. He try and get inside her mind, and she’d try and get in his pants. There was no way to win when she was in this state. No way but to let her have her way; except he didn’t want to be used like that. Under different circumstances? Hell yeah, let her have her way with him and his body. But with so much turmoil that she had to be going through; feeling as though she were the cause of all her parents’ trivial problems? Not his idea of a kinky time.

She wasn’t the problem of her parents’ relationship, or lack thereof officially. They were the problem behind their own relationship. He wanted to scream, he wanted to yell, and he actually wanted to shake some sense into Ayden; that was how frustrated he was with the stubborn girl! He was hurt that she pushed him away, but he also expected something along the lines. “Help me understand, Ayden. Help me help you,” he whispered, sounding defeated. Maybe he really should have just let her be. Okay, no. He couldn’t do that, whether it was because it was hardwired into his DNA to help the people he loved most, or if it was just because it was Ayden, he didn’t know.

Did she really not know that she was the reason he could be so cool and collected? Without her in his life, he’d be volatile, angry, up in everyone’s face like he was with that girl in the stairwell at school. He hadn’t told Ayden about that. She’d been so worked up all week that it didn’t seem all that important by comparison, so, he’d never told her. Maybe if he had, she might have spilled all her problems earlier. But it was too late now and it didn’t really matter either way. He lifted his head to the ceiling, trying to gather his wits about him and calm the hell down before he yelled at her. When he finally lowered his gaze, it was to see Ayden, topless, a sight he’d seen countless times before and each and every time he’d lost his breath. To make matters worse, she was wearing green, his favourite colour and all sorts of thoughts rushed his brain. Images of him walking over there, all calm and collected cool Caleb, bringing his hands up her sides, to the clasp and unhooking it. He swallowed, hard, fighting himself to stay away; they both needed it now.

“You think I’m playing games. Sixteen, Ayden. I’ve been in love with you since I was sixteen fucking years old. And I finally get the courage to tell you and yeah, I admit, it’s shitty timing, but what the hell, right?” now that he’d started, he couldn’t seem to stop. “You want me to take what you’re offering, believe me it’s taking everything I have in me not to. I don’t want to be the reason you don’t deal with your parents. I don’t want sex to be the distraction you’re looking for.” He threw his hands in the air, pacing across the room, but staying away from Ayden. “You keep using me to get around dealing with this problem and you say I’m the one playing games? Fuck,” he said, ending on a hiss of breathe as he moved around the bed; the barrier. When he got close enough he slammed his hands against the wall on either side of her head and pressed as close as he could. He was angry, that was obvious. But he was angry because she thought he didn’t want her, because she thought, well, whatever she thought about him. He wasn’t playing the games she thought he was and that hurt, yes but it was hurting him a hell of a lot more to stop himself from making love with Ayden.

He was too close. He couldn’t stop himself now. He lowered his head, pressing his lips to hers roughly. He poured everything he felt into that kiss; everything. And without realizing it, Caleb’s hands drifted from the wall to Ayden, one hand tugging the hair tie free and the other roaming her torso. That hand drifted lower until it reached the hem of yet another of his shirts. She hadn’t tied the shirt tight enough so the hair tie fell to the floor easily with a single, agitated tug. He wanted to feel her skin, wanted to feel the rush that the contact brought through his veins. She was going to slap him, kill him, do something, but at the moment, he didn’t care. He’d started something; they’d started something and it was going to be finished. Here, now.

_{TAG// Little Fire <3
WORDS// 875!
LOCATION// Their Wonderful Living Room
CLOTHES// I Mean Daaamn...
LYRICS// Obvious//Faber Drive
NOTES// <3 <3 <3}

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

HOLD YOUR BREATH BECAUSE TONIGHT WILL BE THE NIGHT
• that i will fall for you, don't make me change my mind •

Ayden didn't know what to do. If she told Caleb everything, she had this feeling he'd still be there trying to convince her that it all wasn't her fault. But, she'd already thouroughly convinced herself that it was. It'd take a miracle to make her think otherwise; and, until that miracle came, every word he said to try and change her mind would only cause more turmoil in her churning heart. And, what if he agreed with her? What if, after he knew it all, he thought it was her fault, too? It was a situation she just couldn't win. Ayden didn't want him to agree with her, but she also didn't want him to disagree. She just couldn't figure out what she wanted right now; there was too much going on. Between the divorce and now the springing up of her own relationship, Ayden was lost. And, hearing about her parents seemingly perfect marriage shriveling and dying was quickly diminishing her own faiths in romance, even if Caleb was the one she shared a love with. The whole experience was going to drive her near insanity.

"You still wouldn't get it," she said, almost pleading with him. "It's not something you can help with, Caleb. Not this time," she whispered, mimicking the sound of defeat his voice wore. Ayden was giving up on it all for the time being. She really needed someone to pull her out of her own life long enough so she could re-gather her mind and sort all this shit out.

Ayden could only blink at him as he ranted. Though, she knew he had a perfectly wonderful right to. It wasn't really the fact that he was shouting at her that shocked her, however. It was what he was saying, rather, than anything else. "Why didn't you tell me?" she whispered as he moved around the bed towards her. That was the one question running through her head as his fists slammed against the wall behind her. It wasn't to strike down his accusations of her using him because, really, there was no point in lying to herself or him. It wasn't about his morals of her using sex as a distraction. Her curiousity rested solely on the fact that he'd loved her for seven years, and he'd never told her. And, she'd never figured it out before now. But, the thoughts died quickly as his lips crashed down onto hers. She lost all train of thought she'd even been close to having and focused only on Caleb. The taste of his kiss, the feeling of his hands roaming her body and freeing her freshly bound hair. It was all that mattered anymore. She couldn't stop herself from touching him in return, letting her own hands slip slowly under his t-shirt to trace his chest. Ayden slid the article of clothing up his body only a bit, her hands memorizing every inch of him as they worked their way across his skin.

"You keep using me to get around dealing with this problem and you say I'm the one playing games?"

His words seared her mind, the only thought in her head as she continued to kiss Caleb. No, no, no. The guilt crept into her system slowly, edging its way back into her as the thoughts of where this could lead taunted her. Ayden could get what she want; it was right here in front of her. Caleb was the one throwing himself at her now... why should she stop him like he'd down to her? Because this isn't right. Damn morals.

Using every bit of self-control she had, Ayden forced her lips off of Caleb's. She didn't dare move her body; not like she even could've with his practically glueing her to the wall. But, she did freeze, letting her head fall back against the wall as she tried to regain enough breath to speak. "You're right," she whispered finally, freeing her hands from under his shirt and resting them safely on his upper chest. "I can't use you to avoid this. I love you too damn much to," she added softly, looking up at him with love written in her eyes. But, hell if every piece of her body still wasn't longing to be touching his.

I WON'T LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY, I SWEAR IT'S TRUE
• because a guy like you is impossible to find •

TAG: The Adorkable Roomie <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Lap. Mhm. ;3
WORDS: 760!
MUSIC: "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade
OUTFIT: Check!?
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

Caleb didn’t know what to say or do to make Ayden realize none of this was her fault. It was so frustrating to be so head over heels for such a stubborn, strong-willed woman. Of course, he was well aware of what he was getting himself into with his confession, and really, that was probably the best thing that ever happened to him. It was like a weight was lifted, she finally knew. And now that she knew, it was time to deal with her problem. It was pretty damn big after all. He just wanted her to know that he wasn’t going anywhere, that he’d be there for her to confide in, for her to curl up with and just relax; he was going to be there to comfort her whenever she needed him. There was nothing, he knew that would change her mind when she got something stuck in it; including thoughts of herself, but damn it if he wouldn’t try and set everything straight again.

“You’re right, Ayden,” he said agreeing with her. “I wouldn’t completely understand because it I’ve never had to live through it, but I still want you to try.” He knew without a doubt that if the roles were reversed, Ayden would be relentless in her assault to get answers from him, so he wasn’t going to give up; no matter what happened. He wanted to go to her and comfort her now, but she’d pushed away from him, and it was taking whatever he had left in him to stay where he was for the time being. If only she would realize that she didn’t have to work this all out by herself! She had someone to play soundboard with. She had a shoulder to cry on if she needed it, strong arms to surround her and keep her safe; she still had people who loved her. And it wasn’t the end of the world, even if she currently thought it was. Things would get better.

He hadn’t meant to go on a rant like that. He had wanted to rant and rave about her stupidity, absolutely. But to tell her how long he’d been in love with her? Now that was a stupid slip of the tongue if ever there was one. But people tended to say whatever slipped passed their lips when they were in a heated rage. He couldn’t answer that question; partly because, well, he’d already done that, but also because he’d been hoping even then that his feelings were false. He had hoped and finally gave up hoping that his feelings would go away. She’d been in a relationship, as had he, but she’d been so happy. And wasn’t the first rule of true love to make sure your love was happy no matter what, even if it wasn’t with you? She’d seemed happy enough, and she’d never told him otherwise until the end of it all. Cal had been so pissed at that dumbass that’d dated Ayden for as long as he had and never treated her the way he should have; like nothing else mattered.

He refused to do that. Ayden was all that mattered, and all the thoughts that spun through his head were Ayden; every single one of them. He’d wanted to touch her, to taste her, to love her, to be with her. Fortunately, or unfortunately, Caleb wasn’t sure how he was looking at it just yet, Ayden broke their kiss. Caleb’s dark eyes snapped open, his breathing was laboured, but even. He wanted more, but it wasn’t the time to cave to his wants and needs. He wanted to smile, he wanted to dance around and sing “I told you so” but knew better of it, so he kept the smirk from his face and the song and dance in his head. Caleb closed his eyes again before he pulled Ayden against him, gathering her close and pulling his arms tight around her. It was going to take a while, probably a long while, but they were going to get through this; Ayden was going to get through this with his help and, if she opened up, the help of her friends from school and work. “I love you, Ayden,” he whispered into her ear, tightening his arms more, completely uncaring if he was squishing her.

_{TAG// Little Fire <3
WORDS// 725!
LOCATION// Their Wonderful Living Room
CLOTHES// I Mean Daaamn...
LYRICS// Obvious//Faber Drive
NOTES// <3 <3 <3}

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

HOLD YOUR BREATH BECAUSE TONIGHT WILL BE THE NIGHT
• that i will fall for you, don't make me change my mind •

It was true that, if it'd been Caleb moping about, Ayden would've had the flat out truth from him the moment they got their alone time at night. She wasn't the patient one; that was him. She wasn't the overly-caring one; that was him. She was the headstrong one who knew what she wanted and, usually, how she was going to get it. But, that was Ayden for you. The wild fire who could out run all the boys and still keep her mascara from running down her cheeks. Her and Caleb balanced each other out. That was why their friendship worked so well, even when they'd had their little tiffs as children or "fights" as teenagers. What one lacked, the other had; it was almost like magnets.

But, even magnets had their differences, and had events that the other would never be able to understand. Ayden was going through that now. She didn't feel like even her best friend, boyfriend, lover - whatever the hell he was now - would be able to understand this. Unless you were going through it yourself, you really couldn't. And she'd be damned if she went to one of those stupid therapy groups that "helped" people deal with their pain. Opening up to people just wasn't someting Ayden did. She had Caleb for that. He was the only one she opened up to about anything and everything; that is, until now. In the past, he'd always been able to understand and sympathize with her. But now? He had the perfect parents, the awesome grandfather. She had the parents from hell who were splitting and putting their only daughter in the middle of it all.

Ayden shook her head at him again, more out of frustration now. He couldn't understand! She could talk herself blue, and he'd still never be able to realize just how much of this was her own fault. How selfish she was, how stupid for leaving, how horrible of a daughter she'd been by wasting all her parents' money on music lessons, or clothes, or unneedingly expensive schooling. It was all her damn fault! "Y-You just won't get it, Caleb," she whispered, still pleading with him. "You've got perfect parents; you'd never understand this! Hell, I don't even understand half of it! But it's m-my fault; all of it. They're fighting over money, money I'm wasting here on overly expensive schooling, music, clothes. Money they're now putting into a divorce because they're regretting ever having a kid!" she answered, the anger flashing in her icy eyes as she spoke. Ayden was so pissed off, between Caleb, her father, and her mother. All of it was induced by the confusion and pain she felt. Yelling and bitching was just her defense for it all; her way of dealing with it. Other than alcohol and Caleb dragging her home drunk, of course.

She pressed into his arms as he wrapped them around her, closing her eyes to fight off more tears as he told her he loved her. One person, that was all she needed. Just one person. Someone who wouldn't yell at her, or blame her, but just love her for being herself. And who better than Caleb, the guy who'd watched, and even helped, her transform from basketball shorts to mini-skirts in a matter of weeks? He knew her inside out, just like she knew him. He was all Ayden needed right now, even if she still didn't think he'd ever be able to fathom her current situation. As long as he was here to say he loved her and to keep her safe from all dangers, including herself, Ayden would be alright. "I love you, too," she whispered in return, tucking her head under his chin and keeping her eyes closed tight. Maybe, just maybe, she'd be able to block out everything but him for a few seconds. Maybe.

I WON'T LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY, I SWEAR IT'S TRUE
• because a guy like you is impossible to find •

TAG: The Adorkable Roomie <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Lap. Mhm. ;3
WORDS: 694!
MUSIC: "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade
OUTFIT: Check!?
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

Caleb’s eyes widened in shock more than anything. He was well aware how much children cost in a lifetime, his father had made that so clear when he’d been a child; but that had been more of a joke than anything because they always laughed. But to go and outright tell a child that the reason that child’s parents were having trouble was because of money said child sent was just ridiculous. Its common sense that child are a lot of money to take care of a make sure they had a good upbringing. That certainly wasn’t the child’s fault. Ayden was not to blame because her parents wanted the best for her. That was all on her parent’s shoulders.

“You can’t blame yourself for them wanting to give their only child the best they could provide. You are too intelligent to think that any of this is your fault. They shouldn’t have blamed you for their problems,” he said in a huff. He wanted to rip the hair right out of his head. Ayden was too smart to think that all her parents’ problems were her fault. If anything, they should have been blaming themselves and lack of communication. As long as he could remember, now that he was thinking about them, he didn’t hear them talk about anything overly important. Though, they could have kept those conversations private, but he’d spent quite a bit of his childhood at Ayden’s. His parents, well they couldn’t be compared. Where Ayden’s parents rarely spoke, as far as Cal knew, his parents were vocal about everything and anything they could be.

It was odd being the “quiet” one of the family; and even he could get loud and rambunctious. But that was just another way that the two of them balanced each other out. He was levelheaded and she was the spitfire. Life would certainly be dull without Ayden and now that she was in one of her moods, it was unlikely his idea for pancakes would make it all better. But damn it if he wasn’t going to try. “Alright, now… I have some pancake batter getting all disgusting in the kitchen, care to join me?” He asked, changing the subject to something so much lighter. With all the drama in their lives over the last few hours alone, a little light conversation would probably be more than welcome. They didn’t have to talk about anything greater than the new designs he’d been working on, Ayden’s music or the weather.

He really wished they could just stay like this forever; or at least until everything with her parents died down a bit. A month to just lounge around the house with no greater concern than whose turn it was to cook that meal. Cal lowered his head to press his lips to Ayden's forehead. Even a day with no worries in the middle of this shit storm would been nice.

_{TAG// Little Fire <3
WORDS// 489?!
LOCATION// Their Wonderful Living Room
CLOTHES// I Mean Daaamn...
LYRICS// Obvious//Faber Drive
NOTES// <3 <3 <3}

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

HOLD YOUR BREATH BECAUSE TONIGHT WILL BE THE NIGHT
• that i will fall for you, don't make me change my mind •

For being in a family made up primarily of writers, a lot of words sure went unsaid in the Steele family. Sure, Ayden talked to her parents, but it had never been that movie-worthy bond that so many kids had. Where they could just sit down with their moms and do each other's hair, while confessing all their deepest, darkest secrets. Ayden had longed for it back then, and she still did these days. But, her parents had always been working or writing or editing or doing some other job that took them away from their daughter. It was part of the reason she'd fallen in love with music. Her parents weren't musical, they couldn't critique her, and then she had company in the house when she was all alone. Though, nine times out of ten, Caleb was usually with her anyways. In most ways, he was that person her mother should've been; the person Ayden could depend the most upon. And, really, she could turn to her best friend for fashion advice, latest hairstyles, makeup trends... he knew about more of the "girly" stuff than she did, for crying out loud! But, that still didn't shake the guilt from Ayden's heart. It was her who was soaking up so much of her parents' bank accounts... like it always had been. Back then, it had been their way to make up for being absent in their daughter's life so frequently. Now, it was just causing said daughter to feel more and more dirty by the second as the list of her expensives grew and grew in her mind.

"You don't understand, Cal! It is my fault! They're finally pointing out how much I cost them, and I'm in no place to deny any of it. This is my fault. Even Dad thinks so," she said, ending in a pained whisper as she turned her watery eyes away from him. While Ayden's father wasn't her absolute favorite person on the planet, she still clamoured for his respect and approval, just like she did her mother's. Hearing him say that possibly the worst event in his life was all her fault? Devastating. Even if Caleb kept trying to convince her that none of the blame fell onto her own shoulders.

Ayden kept her face pressed into his chest, smiling ever so softly as he spoke. So, that's what he'd been doing instead of bumming on the couch, like she'd so kindly instructed him to. She knew he wasn't going to stay there, though she'd kind of been hoping he would, before that phonecall happened. It would've been nice to cuddle on a couch all day with him. "As long as you cook," she teased back, nuzzling him playfully as his lips pressed to her forehead.

I WON'T LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY, I SWEAR IT'S TRUE
• because a guy like you is impossible to find •

TAG: The Adorkable Roomie <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Lap. Mhm. ;3
WORDS: 496!
MUSIC: "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade
OUTFIT: Check!?
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

Caleb was frustrated, exhausted with this whole thing. None of this was Ayden’s fault and it was like pulling teeth to get her to believe his words. “Alright well, when you become a rich and famous singer or songwriter or both, you can toss all the money you ever spent of theirs back at them and tell them they can officially shove it,” he said, running his hands through his messy hair, leaving it stuck up all over the place; very Einstein. If his parents ever decided they didn’t love each other anymore, got a divorce and started blaming him for all their misgivings, he would probably snap, sulk around and then do just as he’d suggested himself. Toss a truck load of money he earned from his fashion house in their faces and say ‘good-bye’. Okay, so maybe the whole throwing the parents into the past wouldn’t actually happen, but chances were slim either of his parents would approve his career choice anyway, so… it would probably turn out to be a non issue. Hell, they still didn’t know what Caleb was really majoring in; they thought it was business with specifics for accounting and running said business. His father would have kittens.

But his parents weren’t the problem and really, it was time to get on with something else. Pancake batter was getting all gross in the kitchen because he’d forgotten to put something over it, and it was Saturday morning so normally he wouldn’t have to go in until after the sun set, but when he’d switched his shift last night, he’d told his boss he’d need the weekend to sort it all out at the very least. He hadn’t checked Ayden’s schedule, he’d forgotten to check it or ask for that matter, but he hoped she was free for the day. They could do something productive… maybe; or not. Although at the moment anything mindless would be productive, get Ayden thinking about anything but her parents and their situation.

Caleb chuckled, “And let you burn the food? I don’t think so,” he said, finally taking a step back. He kept his hand linked with Ayden’s as he started around her bed and out the door. The moment had had such potential, if only these were different circumstances. He sighed, thinking about that for a second before stepping into the hall. In the kitchen, he let go of Ayden’s hand to turn on the stove and grab a frying pan. “So,” he said turning around and leaning on the counter beside the stove. “Do you want anything in them?” he asked, mentally checking the contents of the fridge and cupboards. He was almost sure there was still some fruit in the fridge that was still fresh, and there was definitely some chocolate chips left from the last time he and Ayden had cravings for cookies. What a mess that was. He was still finding flour all over the place a week later.

_{TAG// Little Fire <3
WORDS// 495!
LOCATION// Their Wonderful Living Room
CLOTHES// I Mean Daaamn...
LYRICS// Obvious//Faber Drive
NOTES// <3 <3 <3}

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

HOLD YOUR BREATH BECAUSE TONIGHT WILL BE THE NIGHT
• that i will fall for you, don't make me change my mind •

She knew it. This was why she hadn't told him. He didn't understand, didn't see how this really was entirely her fault, and her fault alone. He didn't get it. "And if I don't become rich and famous? What the hell am I supposed to do then?" she snapped, turning her blearly eyes back to him, devastation clear in them. His plan was nearly fool-proof... besides that fact that Ayden might never, ever become rich and famous, especially not if she didn't work long and hard at her music. She loved music, truly, truly loved it... but it wasn't like it was the only thing she could do. She could go back to school, on her own money this time, and get her teaching degree. She could work her way up where she was now and become manager or supervisor or something. Those payed decently enough. Besides, she wasn't the one to become famous; that was Caleb. He'd be the one with his name known all across the world. Ayden would just be singing in hotel lobbies to earn her week's bread.

"I wouldn't burn it! It'd just be crispy," she teased in return, her smile growing as he stepped back while keeping her hand. Ayden easily followed after him, feeling a lot better now. This was all they really needed to be happy; each other. "How 'bout chocolate chips?" she grinned as he turned around. Ayden walked up in front of him, wrapping her arms around his neck and letting them rest against his shoulders. She just smiled up at him for a moment, stealing a sweet kiss that held none of the lust her past ones had. Sex wasn't her aim anymore; distracting herself wasn't her goal. Caleb was. She wanted to be happy with her Caleb, and just simply enjoy him. No more fighting, no more drinking or crying... being together. It'd be the perfect end to a completely horrible week. And, possibly, the only bit of a break Ayden would be getting in the coming weeks.

She pulled away from him after one more kiss, going over to the fridge and opening up the door. Last week, she'd worked a few extras shifts at work, not knowing she'd be needing the money for actually important things within a few days. She'd bought all the things for ice cream sundaes, from whipped cream to extra chocolate chips, and there was still a bit of whipped cream left in the can. Ayden suddenly had a craving for it. "And this on top," she beamed as she pulled it out of the door, showing it to Caleb while turning around.

I WON'T LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY, I SWEAR IT'S TRUE
• because a guy like you is impossible to find •

TAG: The Adorkable Roomie <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Lap. Mhm. ;3
WORDS: 480!
MUSIC: "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade
OUTFIT: Check!?
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

Caleb took a second to look like he was thinking that question over. Finally, after barely half a minute, he looked Ayden in the eye, letting her see that he was serious. Her parents shouldn't have done what they did, that was for damn sure. She didn't deserve it at all. He could think of a few people back in Seattle that deserved something like this, but not Ayden; never his Little Fire. "That will never happen. I believe in you, you're going to go far," he said, truly believing each and every word. Absently, he licked his lips, he didn't want this to be so tough and serious, he really didn't. But he also didn't want Ayden to be mad at him either. That would just completely break his heart. He knew they were her parents, obviously. He knew she cared a great deal about both of them that was also obvious. She was always trying to gain their verbal approval and adoration, but he couldn't have been the only reason she moved to New York, could he? Maybe this was actually his entire fault. If he wouldn't have asked, she wouldn't have gone and they wouldn't have paid as much money on college. But NYU had excellent programs and professors and the campus was amazing. Hell, it was the main reason he'd decided on even applying to the place; the programs. There were so many designers that had started out at NYU, and he wanted to be one of them. The other reason was obviously Ayden. Chances were, he would have gone off to NYU alone and skyped with Ayden constantly, but he would have been so lonely, so depressed that he would have moved back to be near Ayden anyway; they were just too good for each other. He wouldn't have lasted an entire semester.

Caleb genuinely laughed, the first time since he’d watched Ayden saunter off for her room and he’d buggered off to the kitchen. “Well, if that was crispy, I’d really hate to see burnt,” he said, keeping up the lightened conversation. Being with Ayden was so easy, it was like breathing; as cheesy as that saying was, it was accurate. He couldn’t remember which cupboard they’d thrown the chocolate chips in, if they were even in a cupboard at all, but he’d go on hunt when it was time. “Chocolate chips,” he said, wrapping his arms loosely around Ayden’s waist. “Now that we can do,” he said, his own smile beaming. This was what he’d wanted; a happy Ayden, carefree. He kept that smile on his face, thinking he was one lucky guy and so very thankful he’d spilt everything and told Ayden about it all. He let Ayden pull away and head over to the fridge as he watched her. He had the girl, and the girl was happy, that mattered to him.

He turned away for a second to check the cupboards and found the bag of chocolate on the first try. That rarely happened since they always had stuff practically falling out of the cupboards. And it seemed like the stuff was never exactly where either of them had put it the last time it was used. He set the bag on the counter and turned back to see what Ayden wanted on her pancakes. He rolled his eyes and laughed. “Of course you would.” He shook his head, still chuckling.

_{TAG// Little Fire <3
WORDS// 571!
LOCATION// Their Wonderful Living Room
CLOTHES// I Mean Daaamn...
LYRICS// Obvious//Faber Drive
NOTES// <3 <3 <3}

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

HOLD YOUR BREATH BECAUSE TONIGHT WILL BE THE NIGHT
• that i will fall for you, don't make me change my mind •

Ayden had never planned where she'd be going to college, not until her Senior year when people kept coming and offering her sports scholarships for this place or that. She'd been promised so many options for basketball, all options she'd turned down for two things. One was, of course, her music. Ayden loved her sports, but her heart lied squarely with piano over them. The second? Caleb. She didn't want to be apart from him, no matter how short or long the period of time may be. He'd been talking about NYU for ages and, naturally, she applied as well. She had to be with him. And New York had been one of the only places not to offer the West Coast tomboy a scholarship. If they had... maybe she would've stayed that spunky high school girl who hung out more with the boys than the girls. Maybe she'd be different. Maybe, that scholarship would've been enough to save her parents' marriage from its current down hill spiraling. Maybe she was overthinking it all. "Not until I pay them back I'm not," she said, pulling her eyes from his as the tears blurred her vision. Until the day each and every penny had been returned to her parents, Ayden wouldn't feel famous or rich at all. She'd still be a failure for ruining her parents' marriage, still be selfish for taking their money, still be... still be the reason her family was falling apart at the seams.

She stuck her tongue out playfully at him. "I'm not the housewife. That's you. I don't need cooking skills," she joked, grinning up at him. For the first time in what felt like forever, Ayden could smile and mean it. She could laugh and just be herself. That's how it always was around Caleb though. He was the only person she could be Ayden with, and know he wouldn't care what the hell she did. He knew her too well, just like she did him. And, hopefully, that would carry over into something helpful for their budding romance. "Who said I was sharing the chocolate chips?" she smirked as he beamed down at her. Ayden leaned against him as his arms snaked around her waist, making her heart skip ever so lightly. She was so friggin' happy right now.

"Don't mock my whipped cream," she scolded jokingly, grabbing the half-empty bag of chocolate chips from him. Ayden popped a few in her mouth, uncapping the whipped cream as she chewed. She boyishly tossed her head back and squirted the fluffy white cream into her open mouth. Whose to say she wasn't still a tomboy at heart? "C'mon, you know you want some," she teased Caleb, smirking as she aimed the top of the can at his face. Her finger pressed against the topper, causing cream to explode across his face. Before he could even blink, Ayden was off by the fridge once more, laughing her ass off and staying as far out of his reach as possible.

I WON'T LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY, I SWEAR IT'S TRUE
• because a guy like you is impossible to find •

TAG: The Adorkable Roomie <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Lap. Mhm. ;3
WORDS: 550!
MUSIC: "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade
OUTFIT: Check!?
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Caleb Sebastien Turner]

Caleb hated seeing Ayden like this, all caught up in turmoil and fighting wars that weren't even hers to fight. If she was going to be stubborn about it all, then damn it all, he was going to help her do it. He already made extra cash with his pieces. He could save that, it wasn't like it was going to anything more than their nights out, popcorn and movies. He could save a bit of what he made for that and the rest could go to helping Ayden. It wasd practically his fault anyway. He had begged and pleaded for Ayden to come to New York with him. He was kicking himself in the ass for being so selfish. Because, really, if it wasn't for him, Ayden would have gone to another school on a basketball scholarship and she wouldn't be beating herself up over spending money on her education.

He sighed, shaking his head, "What would you do without me? You'd starve, or constantly be eating burnt food," he said with a mocking tone. Their roles were almost reversed, Caleb was the main one to cook, run around the house picking up this and that, folding the blanket they kept on the couch. Outside the bedrooms, the house was neat and tidy, very unlike any young kids. But behind the closed doors of the bedrooms, it was chaotic; at least behind his door it was. That was where he did all his work, all his designs, but it was ordered chaos. Cal knew where everything was in that room and he always knew when Ayden had snuck in there for something.

Cal leaned forward and kissed Ayden softly, laughing at her. "Oh, are you making breakfast then?" he asked, still laughing, still holding her closely. It was all still so new and yet, it was as though it had been this way forever. And really, if you took away the kisses and those three words, nothing really changed. He should have put the bag of chips ont he counter, away from Ayden. But curiosity killed the cat and he didn't bother before turning. He raised his now completely emtpy hands in the air, in a classic 'don't shoot' gesture. "Did I mock the whipped cream, holiest of all dessert toppings?" he asked, mocking it now.

Caleb just stood there, stunned for a second, before he wiped his hand across revealing a wicked grin. He licked off a taste of the whipped cream, "Oh, you're going to pay for that," He said, running at her. She was quick but he was just a bit faster and before she could guess what he was up to, Caleb had her wrapped up in his arms, whipped cream all over her back from his hand. He lowered his partially covered face to Ayden's neck and nuzzled his face there, getting the rest of the cream off. Laughing, he swiped his tongue across her neck in a quick gesture. "Yum, even better," he whispered in her ear.

_{TAG// Little Fire <3
WORDS// 504!
LOCATION// Their Wonderful Living Room
CLOTHES// I Mean Daaamn...
LYRICS// Superman//Shawn Desman
NOTES// <3 <3 <3}

[Ayden Karissa Turner]

HOLD YOUR BREATH BECAUSE TONIGHT WILL BE THE NIGHT
• that i will fall for you, don't make me change my mind •

If they could stay locked up here, maybe then everything would go away without more tears being spilt. They could just cuddle up on the couch all day and pretend like none of it was happening. That suited her perfectly fine. Or, well, it would for awhile until her parents started harrassing her with phonecalls and emails, or even showing up in New York for a "surprise visit". Caleb was right; she couldn't ignore this forever. But, how much damage could a couple peaceful hours really do?

"See, there is a reason I keep you around," she teased back, smirking wickedly up at him. Ayden honestly didn't know what she'd do without Caleb. He kept her from running wild around the city most of the time, and was always there to remind her just who she really was. Plus, let's face it, the girl would honestly starve without his excellent cooking. A person would only be able to live off of microwavable meals and mac 'n cheese for so long.

Ayden smiled and giggled against Cal's lips as they met hers, sticking her tongue out as soon as he spoke. "Would you like crispy pancakes?" she retorted, giving a piece of his hair a playful tug as he continued to laugh. The happy expression didn't vanish from her face however, because this teasing was one of the things she loved most about their relationship, whether it be friendship or the new romance. They somehow always knew when to stop before it got too far to hurt either of them, and it wasn't like they verbally abused each other ever. They were best friends and had been for half of forever. Joking around and teasing each other was part of that package, especially with both of their playful natures.

"You better not have," she challenged, stepping closer to him again and dropping her voice to a whisper. "Or someone's in for a very bad punishment." Ayden had her mouth set in that seductive smirk she very rarely, if ever, used. It disappeared almost as quickly as it'd come on, lingering for only a second or two on her lips.

She couldn't help laughing as he chased after her, the action slowing her down as she tried to run. Ayden was typically faster than him when she wanted to be, but she really didn't mind being caught right now. "Caleb!" she shrieked as he wiped the whipped cream across her back, squirming as his tongue flicked across her skin. "Don't I get to try any?" she asked breathlessly, leaning back against him and squishing the whipped cream between their bodies as she tilted her head to look up at him. So what if they both needed a shower after this; it was definitely worth the smiles.

I WON'T LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY, I SWEAR IT'S TRUE
• because a guy like you is impossible to find •

TAG: The Adorkable Roomie <3
LOCATION: Caleb's Lap. Mhm. ;3
WORDS: 506!
MUSIC: "Fall For You" by Secondhand Serenade
OUTFIT: Check!?
NOTES: <3 <3 <3