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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Dec 2, 2017 20:18:04 GMT
315 Words
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When They Call My Name
These thoughts will kill me
England was not something that Miles thought of often. He liked his life in America, he was popular at school, on the lacrosse team. He had friends, his sister, and he didn't feel quite so out of place. Of course he loved his grandmother and his uncle, but Charlotte and Will were definitely made for the high society life, he was not. He was clumsy and awkward and didn't know how to talk eloquently. Literature wasn't his favorite thing, but the pubs back home were. Staying at Heath Hall was even more nerve-wracking than staying at the academy. It was huge, fifteen bedrooms, a dining hall, a ballroom. It was vaguely familiar, but also so different. He couldn't believe it had been almost four years since the last time they'd visited.
This year was even more different than any other time he'd visited. William was back in his life, Max was with them and so was Spencer. Charlotte was the only one who knew about Miles' silly crush on her best friend, although he was certain Max might have caught on by now as well. The looks they'd given him...he'd been so nervous that they would give it away. He knew that not in his wildest dreams would he ever be able to land a girl like that. At this rate he didn't think he'd ever find a girl period.
With Lottie off with Max, Will off with Cassidy, Miles had settled for exploring the Hall again. It was in the middle of being decorated for the annual Christmas party and there were decorators everywhere. He passed by Spencer's room and leaned against the door when he noticed that she was in there still getting settled, "Hey."
But I think I’ve found the light.
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962 posts
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Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Post by Nu on Dec 2, 2017 23:06:55 GMT
381 Words
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I love cheap thrills
I got all I need
Spencer didn't much have a great childhood. Her parents fought all the time and ignored her and her baby sister practically their entire lives. Freya, her baby sister, was the only ray of hope Spencer had. If it wasn't for her, Spencer would have run away ages ago. She managed to keep a good point average in school and a few odd jobs to save up for when she was ready to get the hell out from under her parents.
In college, things took a turn and Spencer found herself knee deep in some shit that she couldn't get out of and in the end didn't want to. She led a life she didn't think would have been possible a year ago. She opened an account for Freya and deposited into it monthly and she lived a pretty cush life for an eighteen year old.
And then she was invited to London and suddenly her life seemed a lot less cush. It wasn't even in the bedroom of cush. Which she was in right then as she unpacked for the weeks to come. She was feeling a little under dressed and under packed and was about to holler for Charlotte when she heard her twin's voice from behind.
Spencer turned and smiled at Miles. The past few weeks have been a bit of a revelation for Spencer. It wasn't often that Charlotte had an episode bad enough she needed Miles, at least not in front of Spencer. The party changed the way she looked at him. She still saw him as Smiles, the sweet one. The dependable one. But she no longer thought he was predictable or a pushover. Where she used to call him the other Spencer, now he was Smiles, her friend.
"Hey Smiles." She returned to her unpacking as she laughed. "I can't believe my friends are Downton Abbey characters." She shook her head before hanging a powder blue dress in the walk in closet. "I'd marry Charlie if she wasn't so hung up on Maxie." Her eyes twinkled with amusement before gesturing for him to come in. "Help me unpack? Just grab the tees out of the bag and put them in the drawer." She waved in the direction of the ornately decorated dresser by the door.
As long as I keep dancing
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Dec 3, 2017 6:05:09 GMT
426 Words
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When They Call My Name
These thoughts will kill me
Since the party, Miles hadn't felt any different. Of course it had been big, bad and ugly. Charlotte's episodes were usually far less extreme than his own and he was usually the one who needed comforting. Even so, he was used to being the crutch for Lottie the way that she was for him. As much as their dynamic to everyone else seemed to make him out to be the 'other' one, he knew that Charlotte depended on him just as much as he depended on her. It was what made them so close. For her to meltdown at a party in front of so many people, well, it had panicked him, but he was happy that he was experienced enough to handle it and it helped that her best friend didn't flake out when it happened.
He always wondered about how Spencer would handle it. She'd seen minor attacks, a little hyperventilating, or shaking, but nothing close to the party. A part of him almost expected her to ditch because it was a big responsibility and a lot of pressure. But when she didn't, it only made him admire her more. She was strong and although she seemed flighty, she wasn't with Charlotte.
The nickname that had started with Will had followed him throughout his life and although Lottie had somehow managed to shake hers, he couldn't quite shake his. There was no shortening of Miles and he supposed it could have been worse, but he could say he didn't mind it when she called him that. It had been more and more lately, but he was still oblivious as to why. He smiled at her observation and he chewed on his lip, "Yeah it's kind of intense. And I'm sure she'd go for it, but uh, I don't see her getting over him any time in the near future." She motioned for him to come in and he took a hesitant step past the doorway, his hands shoved into his pockets.
Her question suddenly made him uncomfortable and he wasn't sure why. It was clean, folded t-shirts. It wasn't like she was asking him to put her intimates away. Even so, he didn't even touch his own sister's clothes. "Sure," He agreed anyway, of course. Miles began doing as she said and cleared his throat, "So outside from the lavishness of the Hall, whattaya think so far?"
But I think I’ve found the light.
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962 posts
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Authored by
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Post by Nu on Dec 3, 2017 21:46:01 GMT
228 Words
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I love cheap thrills
I got all I need
Spencer wasn't the most astute at reading people so whatever inner conflict Miles was having was lost on her. Given the fact that she was busy admiring the clothes she brought, she only laughed distractedly when Miles mentioned Charlotte's crush on Max.
Ever since Charlotte started talking about Max, Spencer started feeling a little left out. She liked Max, he was a good one. But that was, funnily enough, why she didn't like him. She'd known Charlotte since they were kids and since then, they were inseparable. Max coming in was going to be a problem for Spencer, she knew that, but he made Charlotte giddy and happy and Spencer liked that. So her own conflict stirred in her while she hung another dress in the closet.
Peeking out of the closet at Miles' question, Spencer raised an eyebrow and smiled. "About what? London? Or the fact that I'm friends with rich folks? Because I gotta say, it's pretty terrific on both fronts." She laughed. "Don't worry, I won't mooch off you." She walked over to him and pinched his cheeks. "I loved you both way before all this so." She shrugged, not even realising the implications of her actions and words.
"Okay, if Charlotte isn't going to take me shopping, will you? You can drive here, right?" She batted her eyelashes at him with an exaggerated smile.
As long as I keep dancing
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Dec 4, 2017 5:37:34 GMT
289 Words
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When They Call My Name
These thoughts will kill me
Miles was pleased with Spencer's response. He wanted her to have fun and he wanted her to enjoy the mini vacation they'd taken. But he also didn't want her to get so caught up in it that she forgot who they were. Of course he looped Charlotte in with that because he doubted she really even knew who he was. That would require paying attention to him. Miles had always been in the background of Lottie's life when it came to everyone else. He just accepted that he didn't get noticed for much. It wasn't until lacrosse that he felt like people knew him.
His eyes stayed focused on the dresser drawer in front of him when she made her comment about loving them. Familial love of course, he was smart enough not to read too far into it. Especially seeing as she'd included his sister. He knew she was clueless when it came to how he felt. His ability latched onto her emotions immediately whenever they were together, as if, by no choice of his own, his ability was searching for something to give him hope. But he often came up short and disappointed. Once he finished neatly putting her clothes in the dresser, he closed it and leaned against it.
Her request was simple and although he wasn't very good with shopping, he was worse at saying no to anybody, least of all Spencer. With a dramatic grimace for her benefit, he huffed and sighed before laughing awkwardly and nodding, "Of course, Spence. And I uh, we have a driver."
But I think I’ve found the light.
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962 posts
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Post by Nu on Dec 4, 2017 23:31:57 GMT
253 Words
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I love cheap thrills
I got all I need
At the mention of a driver, Spencer rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Fine. If you need a buffer, who am I to say no?" She shrugged before pulling up a black lacy dress and held it up over her body and whirled around. "What do you think, good enough for a dinner party?" She asked in an exaggerated English accent. She giggled before going into the closet to hang it up. "No...maybe for a club. Are you allowed in clubs here, Smiles?" She asked before stepping out and heading to her bag, zipping it up and sliding it over to the dresser. She looked down at her simple black tank and jeans ensemble and chewed the inside of her cheek. "I should change. Where's Char though? You know what, never mind. I'll just text her to have fun with Max later. You're coming with me, kay?" She asked before going into the closet to get to the blue dress before stepping out of her clothes. "Give me a sec." She called out. Once she was dressed, she came out of the closet with a flourish, one hand up in the air while the other on her hip. "What do you think? Good for a walk around?" She asked before stepping into some sensible flats. She grabbed the coat she had recently purchased for the trip and shrugged it on. "I feel fancy already." She laughed before sliding her arm through Miles' and pulling him out of the room. "Let's go hon."
As long as I keep dancing
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Dec 6, 2017 2:53:40 GMT
335 Words
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When They Call My Name
These thoughts will kill me
Miles wasn't sure what she meant by a buffer, so he let it go and kept looking at his feet. When she asked about the dinner party, mocking the accents that he and Charlotte would have had, he looked up and froze, his body rigid. While he wasn't sure it would be appropriate for a dinner party, he definitely wouldn't have minded seeing it on her at some point. He cleared his throat, but didn't say anything until her next question about whether he was allowed in clubs or not. He rolled his eyes at that, "You know I'm the exact same age as you and Charlotte, right?"
And in England he could get into all of the clubs he wanted to. The only thing that stopped him was the fact that he wasn't a clubbing type, but he didn't think he needed to say that. Miles fidgeted as he leaned against the dresser. She asked where his sister was and he shrugged, he imagined she was off in the library or being bombarded with dresses by his grandmother. "Okay, I'll uh, I'll be right here."
She went to change and his eyes lifted when she came back out in a pose. His eyes darted quickly over the dress, careful not to linger and he nodded, "You look good, Spence. Very fancy." He kind of laughed at the word and pushed himself away from the dresser as she slid her arm through his and pulled at him, "Okay, okay, I'm coming." His face he could feel betraying him with as red as it was and he kept his hands shoved firmly in his pockets with her arm looped through. He didn't know what he was getting himself into and he could only imagine all of the nonsense that would come from his sister when she heard about it.
But I think I’ve found the light.
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962 posts
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Post by Nu on Dec 7, 2017 5:36:16 GMT
156 Words
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I love cheap thrills
I got all I need
Oblivious as Spencer was, even she caught the look Miles gave at the dress and she couldn't help but smirk. She laughed when Miles mentioned that they were the same age. "I know, I was just teasing, silly." She pinched at his side playfully.
"Oh la di da." She sang out cheerfully with a chuckle as they left the room hand in hand. Just because she can practically feel the awkward rolling off Miles, she wasn't going to let it change any of her plans. In fact, she was going to make sure that at the end of the day, Miles' awkwardness lessened. Although, she wasn't entirely sure if that was actually possible.
They ended up with a driver and as they climbed into the back seat, Spencer didn't let Miles move that far away from her as she asked him a ton of questions about what his life had been growing up in a palace.
As long as I keep dancing
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Dec 7, 2017 6:59:30 GMT
250 Words
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When They Call My Name
These thoughts will kill me
Sitting in the car, Miles had hoped for a little space. Some breathing room. Being close to her always gave him serious anxiety and it didn't matter if he could absorb her confidence or carefree attitude, his own emotions always seemed to overpower those. So as she kept him close in the car, he did his best to match his breathing to hers. She was calm, she was comfortable because she knew that he wasn't a creep. He'd protect her against anything because that was just what Miles did.
She bombarded him with questions and while Miles wasn't used to talking about himself, he was happy that he'd had a few interesting anecdotes to tell her to pass the time. Easing into conversation wasn't too difficult, although he was careful with every word not to stutter or trip over what he was trying to say. There were plenty of good things to talk about when it came to his home in England, mostly because she didn't know any of them.
When they pulled up to the mall, he was out before the driver and had grabbed the door for Spencer. Mostly because Leo had caught on pretty quickly to the reason why. He just smirked and stood by the driver side door. Miles offered her his hand, ignoring the look he was getting.
But I think I’ve found the light.
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962 posts
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Post by Nu on Dec 7, 2017 7:31:28 GMT
175 Words
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I love cheap thrills
I got all I need
Spencer listened to Miles talk as her gaze went out the window to watch the town pass by. She laughed at the right spots and nodded when necessary but as a whole, she was distracted. It was perhaps the magical tint the snow had over London or if it was being close to someone in a strange land but Spencer was lost in her own world at some point in the drive.
She snapped back to the present when the car stopped and Miles opened the door for her. She didn't see the smirk the driver had on his face as she stepped out of the car and walked over to the mall's entrance. She turned to Miles and gestured for him to come closer. "Not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous right now. I mean I know this is like any other mall but like...it's gonna be super obvious that I'm American. Keep me in check, yeah?" She chuckled.
She didn't immediately grab Miles' arm this time though. She was oblivious, not an asshole.
As long as I keep dancing
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Dec 7, 2017 21:01:16 GMT
247 Words
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When They Call My Name
These thoughts will kill me
Miles was not a mall-goer, so he couldn't offer her much comfort int he way of her nerve that he could feel heighten his own. She gestured for him to come closer and to be sure to keep her American in check. He laughed at that and nodded, "I'll do my best to make sure you don't do anything silly." With one hand in his pocket he gestured for her to go first as he followed closely beside, but still far enough not to be touching her.
His other hand found its way to his pocket and he glanced around the mall before giving Leo a quick wave. It was a pretty sizable place, but then, everywhere seemed sizable to him. As his eyes scanned the place, he noted a few people looking at them, but mostly he noticed all of the guys' eyes that found Spencer. It wasn't out of the norm for him to be looked through, but he didn't like the way their eyes looked her up and down.
Miles cleared his throat and nudged her, "I think you fit in just fine. All the locals are eyeing you." His voice was quiet and he did his best not to let any other emotion sink into it other than mild amusement. He wasn't sure it worked though.
But I think I’ve found the light.
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962 posts
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Post by Nu on Dec 8, 2017 17:36:54 GMT
241 Words
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I love cheap thrills
I got all I need
"You're a peach." Spencer smiled, her whole face lighting up as she surveyed the layout of the mall. Luckily, she spotted a mall directory and hurried over, oblivious to the stares she was garnering from some guys. The directory was interactive so she spent a little time on it, looking for her favourite stores on different floors before taking her phone out to look up the stores that didn't look too familiar. She was there to find something suitable to wear to a party hosted by what she could only assume to be royalty of some sort.
She didn't quite look up when Miles spoke to her and gave him a distracted sound of agreement as she picked the stores that seemed to hold what she needed. Spencer was not the type to window shop. She always had a purpose and she wouldn't go to a store without knowing she would have a purchase in hand upon exiting. So once she decided which stores to hit, she turned to Miles and found him with an indecipherable look on his face.
"Something wrong?" She asked, stepping closer to him but leaving enough of a gap so it wouldn't be uncomfortable for Miles. She knew his abilities were similar to Charlotte's but she didn't really know the extent of it. She was, however, aware of his discomfort enough to know she should keep her physical contact with him to a bare minimum.
As long as I keep dancing
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Dec 9, 2017 20:01:59 GMT
322 Words
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When They Call My Name
These thoughts will kill me
Miles took slight comfort in the fact that she seemed to remain oblivious to most of the guys that were looking at her. What irked him was when they looked at him and back at her and laughed. It was obvious that she wouldn't be caught dead dating someone like him, even in a foreign country. All comfort he had taken from her obliviousness fell flat and he couldn't figure out if he was irritated or disappointed about their reactions. All he could do was duck his head and refuse to look at them any longer.
But even still, while she looked over the directory, all he could do was stand there and try to focus on his own emotions rather than everyone else's. He felt swarmed and overwhelmed because the crowd was much larger than he was used to. London was a popular city and having people scattered around in every direction didn't give him any reprieve. While he felt like he might explode, he tried to rein it in. The last thing he was about to do was have a meltdown in the middle of the mall with Spencer. She'd asked him to come in Charlotte's stead and here he was struggling with a basic task.
She turned around, just as Miles had noticed his hands were starting to shake in his pockets and he continued to stare at the ground in front of him for a few moments longer. "I'm okay," He looked up and cleared his throat, shaking off whatever he could and focusing on her emotions rather than anyone else's. It was easier to hone in on someone familiar. Chewing on his lower lip, he glanced around again before settling on her face, "Did you figure out where we're headed?"
But I think I’ve found the light.
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962 posts
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Authored by
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Post by Nu on Dec 9, 2017 21:22:52 GMT
185 Words
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I love cheap thrills
I got all I need
His response did not give her any confidence that he was actually okay so she closed the gap between them and ignored his question. "We can go home if you want," she said in a tone which told him that it wasn't a suggestion.
Every now and again, Spencer would slip into a role she usually reserved for either Charlotte or Freya. She called it her big sister role but Charlotte and Freya know it better as The Mom. As obtuse as Spencer could be, when The Mom made its appearance, Spencer would go full on mother hen. Charlotte and Freya knew enough not to fight it but Miles was new to this phenomenon. Hell, Spencer was new to this for Miles.
"I'll probably just go with Charlie tomorrow instead. Or the day after. Whatever." She leaned in and lowered her voice. "Are you triggered?" She asked as she looked at him properly, locking her eyes on his. "We could go somewhere a little quiet? Or really, if you want we could go back home." She reached out and grabbed his arm, squeezing it gently.
As long as I keep dancing
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Dec 10, 2017 5:12:51 GMT
235 Words
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When They Call My Name
These thoughts will kill me
Her tone made him look at her and it wasn't until then that he noticed she had come closer. He was losing it and she could tell. Of course she could, she'd known his twin for years and their abilities responded very similarly to situations like this. But it killed him to think that she would miss out on having fun because he was miserable.
"No," Miles squeaked and he cleared his throat. No, he wasn't triggered, it wasn't even that big of a deal. it was all just overwhelming. There was a lot happening all at once. "No, we don't have to leave." Her hand on his arm was distracting and he took that as relief. With the physical contact, he could feel her emotions at the forefront and everyone else's dulled to a murmur in the back of his mind.
Taking a deep breath, he looked up at her again after having avoided eye contact for a while. "No, I'm...I'm good. The contact and proximity helps me focus. It's just a lot of people all at once," To be honest, he needed the practice. "Just stick close and I should be fine. I'm not about to be the reason you don't get to enjoy this."
But I think I’ve found the light.
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