Behind the Timelapse

air long after a rainstorm. I drag my feet as I walk toward the swing set, hoping maybe I'

ame, his usual goofy grin stretched across his face. His brown hair is a mess, like he barely ran a

as she moves. She's got her usual mix of edgy and effortless style. ripped blue jeans, combat boot

s up with that goofy, infectious grin of his, l

calls out, throwing his hands up drama

your m

help but smile a little. "I

says, clutching his heart as if in pain. "Do you kn

ng into a half smirk as she leans back on the

. "Ouch. Wounded. You see this, Scarlett? She'

in, tease Anthony for being the lovable idiot he is. And I'd let Asuka's dry h

ilts her head. "What's going on with you?" she asks, her voice bl

I wanted to come here and pretend for just one more night that everything was fine, that I was

say finally, my voice

mmoned? What, like you're some

tight. "To Rowan Marino's hous

ything. Anthony looks at me like I've just told him I'm moving to an

? Mafia guy?" Anthony fina

ot in my stom

"So, what, you're just supposed to go there and let some m

ls like. "I don't have a choice," I say, my voice quieter now. "My dad

ck and forth in a small circle. "This is insane. Like... li

is insane. Like... like, actually insane

kind of barg

er laugh. "Of course he can.

patience for my dad's old-school, controlling ways. None of us do, but Asuka's always been

yself than to them. "You don't know what

l make my

ou can't just... you can't let them do this to you, Scar. This i

like to live under the constant weight of someone else's decisions, to feel like a puppet with some

er sides, her jaw tight. "This isn't

my eyes. "But what can I do? Run away? Where would I

ays, his voice quieter now, more seriou

anything, but I

one who can come up with a solution to any problem, no m

But even she loo

the tears finally spilling over.

into a sideways hug. "You're not alone, okay? We're h

tening for a moment. "He's right. We'v

hand. "Thanks, guys. I just... I needed

ays, his voice stubborn. "You're still Scarlet

od. "Yeah. Mafia or not, you're

can feel the clock ticking in the back of my mind, counting down the hours until everythi

ready to l

say about one la

sk wanting to think abou

yes!" Anthony

e in." A

*

on lights flickers across the walls in wild patterns. The air is thick wi

expected. But I'm glad. I ne

ing shots!" Anthony ye

*

quieter corner. I lean against the wall, letting the beat wash over me. I close my eyes for a second, trying

sence,standing too close. I turn my head slightly t

clothes. Black hair. His au

he'll take the hint and mo

?" I ask, loude

cknowledges my existence with a

ch would be fine if he wasn't standing so damn close. "Well, you're in

nd for a second I wish he hadn't. His eyes are dark, sharp an

r sp

"Yeah. There's plenty of other corners in thi

I can react someone falls onto the man beside me and

t to be k

my mouth open in s

in my

corner, could you!? This is al

this my fault." He says unbo

I say trying to pat the

s." He says. What a jerk

ike you own th

d turns back to him. "What.

ncess." He says with

is argument Anthony yells m

ing with an asshole. I'm d

t interested in argu

he's heard my

asshole to someon

I see the faintest flicke