devo’s Comments (group member since Nov 26, 2018)

SALEM
hey!

i haven’t heard from her since i was @ your house..

did u try calling?

The private message thread between Salem Penderghast and Lorenzo Calderon.

Everyone either loved Bryce or at least knew of him. It was hard for them not to — he was the star of the basketball team, top in his class, and wasn't a complete asshole about it. Talking to people of all walks of life was his specialty, so you wouldn't see him confined to a niche of other jocks or haughty people who believe that everyone in the world owes them something. So sitting down to talk to someone he's only vaguely seen before but never talked to was not out of his comfort zone in the slightest.

He smiled at Skye. A friendly one, the one he gave to everyone on a daily basis. He wasn't new to making new friends, it was easy enough. Greeting, check. Smile, check. Now all they need is an excuse to start a start a conversation and like magic, they're best buds.

And she smiled back, which was reassuring. She wasn't creeped out by the fact that he just appeared in front of her ready to work like most shy high school students were. He flipped through the packets that were handed out by the teacher before looking back at her. "Chemical mixing? Oh this shit's easy, I could do it in my sleep."

Nasir took her word for it when she told him she was alright and the situation was not as serious as Nasir imagined it to be. So he left it alone. But yet he had the nagging suspicion that what she was saying wasn't entirely true. She was independent, he liked that. Yet the way she quickly interjected only made him wonder, who is this mystery man -- and more importantly, why he was so adamant about bothering them.

And as he was thinking this, suddenly the man was in his face again. With his black coffee in his hand no less. "I'm not here boyfriend asshole, like that even is your business." Both hands now out of his pockets and lazily hanging at his sides she stared at the guy up and down. "I suggest you listen to her." This was not a threat, more like friendly advice. Nasir wasn't angry, just simply annoyed. What was with this man's superiority complex?

Salem looked at him, almost astonished. He actually agreed? Part of her was expecting another no out of him, and she’d call it a day — not wanting to push Lorenzo farther than his limit. But he didn’t protest that much. Of course he seemed adamant about only doing this because Salem kept pressing him, but she knew deep deep down in his heart of hearts that some part of him wanted to go, even if he didn’t recognize it at first. She saw the way he looked away bashfully when she smiled at him and it only caused her own cheeks to flare up, though she was grateful for the night air, for it made her fierce blushing look like a result for sitting out in the cold for so long

But the whole ordeal suddenly caused her to panic subconsciously. What did she just get herself into? Most girls would be over the mood to go to a dance with their crush — it was something that always happening strictly in fantasy, but to Salem it was somewhat terrified. Of course their conversation today was easygoing and relaxed but Salem can already imagine her tripping up her words and becoming stiff at the ball. She isn’t good at small talk when it’s forced and sure as hell wouldn’t be able to look at Lorenzo in his eyes when they are in a well lit room. She would probably be the only person he would feel comfortable enough talking to, as odd as that was. She wanted to simply say never mind and go alone, but if she never stepped out of her comfort zone how could she force him to step out of his?
Well if he’s willing to try something new and uncomfortable for him than there is no reason she shouldn’t do the same.

Leaning away from him when he teased her she blushed so hard she swore she was sweating. “What, no! I just- it was just-“ huffing in annoyance she shook her again to adamant about her denial. “Listen don’t tease me I’m trying to help your stubborn ass.” Refusing to look back at his teasing smile she just stared across the street at all the houses next to her.

“Thank you. Felt like I was going to have to grovel on my hands and knees.” Salem said jokingly running her hands through her hair before resorting back to her more comfortable ponytail with her favorite black hair tie. “But seriously, you’re gonna have fun. You’re going with me after all.” At that she stood, brushing the dirt from the sides of her ripped jeans. The sun was firmly set now and she knew that her Calculus math notes aren’t going to review itself. “Look, this has been fun and all but I have a test tomorrow and I don’t have much luck in passing if I don’t study.” Salem said finally gazing back down at Lorenzo with a grin.

“I would ask you to walk me to my car, but it seems like you’re wanted inside. I’ll catch you later Mr. Uptight.” She laughed nodding back to the house. Inside a little boy sat by the window, staring so intently that his breath was fogging up the window. She knew she was hogging Lorenzo and keeping him away from the boys. Even though Liz seems like she can take care of herself, the boys definitely couldn’t.

also heads up on saturday idk how active I can because i have a meet @ 8:30 am till like 8:15 (12 hours....fun....) so i'll be on when i can!

or this omg

Ok i need help w/ salems outfit omg
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she literally serves too many looks i can't keep up

When Salem let those words come out of her mouth she instantly wanted to take them back. Sure, she seemed calm and collected but on the inside her brain was on rapid mode, threatening to shut down at any second. Lorenzo and I are talking as in actually holding a conversation longer than twenty seconds. What do I say next? Oh God, does he think I'm weird now cause I asked? A small part of her desperately wished she was back home with Balthasar. At least she couldn't get any social rejection from a cat (mainly because he usually just ignores her but that's beside the point). Yet, at the end of the day, she said it and she can't take it back, no matter how hard she wished she could. It is times like this where she wishes she was more experienced in witchcraft and can rewind the clock like a blonde Harry Potter.

Furrowing her brows she scoffed at him. In her mind she knew he wouldn't want anything to do with the dance, she barely did either -- the whole concept of a New Years ball made her want to choke. But she knew she would have fun, because who couldn't be swayed by the promise of music and an excuse to dress up? Well, Lorenzo apparently. Scoffing in fake disbelief she looked at him with a grin that finally showed brief flashes of her teeth. "What? Think you're too cool for a dance?" She teased, rocking over to bump his shoulder with hers playfully.

"Just picture how nice it would be: all the lights, the music, the food." She looked back at the house behind them. "When was the last time you had food that wasn't pizza or Chinese takeout?" She knew for a fact that the last couple months had been rough in the Asher/Calderon household because it seemed like every time she was over there were always empty cardboard Giovanni's Pizza boxes and fortune cookie wrappers piled up next to the garbage can in the kitchen. The boys always seemed to have huge family sized bags candy or chips in their hands and Salem could not remember the last time she's seen any of them use the stove or any cooking utensil of that matter. Unless Lorenzo was boiling ramen, but even then he preferred using the lazy way by means of a microwave. Disgraceful.

"You don't have to go as Liz's stalker, you could just come with me," Salem said shrugging her shoulder like she didn't a care in the world (she's actually extremely surprised with how cool calm and collected she's being at this point. Where was this Salem a couple of months ago?) It wasn't like her to be this forward, but she knew that this was for Lorenzo's sake. It would be a shame to see him cooped up in the house like a hermit, running around and stressing about whatever is next on his never-ending to-do list. It just wasn't healthy.

"Elizabeth is going to be too busy with whoever she's with, it really wouldn't be that big of a deal, plus it's a townwide event -- you're just one among the many people she won't be paying attention to." Looking at his face again and seeing how unwilling he was only made her burst out in laughter, the cold turning her laughter into puffs of continuous smoke. "C'mon Mr. Uptight, it can't be that bad to hang out with me for one night, right?"