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[rosie de la cruz]

ROSIE

Rosie had always loved birthdays. Though anyone could go out for an evening with friends, it was always something else to have a reason for it. To entertain a theme that devolved as the hours wound down throughout the night, to share photos and sweet birthday cake, to reminisce on what happened the next morning when everyone brutally came back to life. It was one of the things from adolescence she still found herself entranced by, and it was the reason she was out way past 2am, dress still shimmering under a disco ball at a lounge thats name had escaped her the moment they swept through the doors. Rosie's dark gaze drifts over the group that still remained, Dree's tiara still haphazardly holding on to the mess of curls on her head as she peeled the foil away from another magnum of champagne. It would likely be enough to tip everyone over a certain edge and it seemed to be Rosie's cue, sliding to the bar to order a club soda and lime and content to watch the group fall into despair before shuffling them all into a cab. Mind whirring with the logistics of it all she barely registers who's behind her when she turns from the bar, eyes widening once the features set, then became clear. Maybe she should have ordered something stronger. “Hi, Olivia.”

[olivia hamilton]

OLIVIA

It had been eight hours now since she'd landed back in New York. The ending of the night nowhere in sight as her friends bounced from dinner to drinks upon her arrival. Los Angeles had been a temporarily home for the last few weeks. A sanctuary, and fun playground that Olivia enjoyed, despite such a packed schedule every single time she visited. This time..a little more fun than she had anticipated. But New York was home, and a night out was never something Liv would turn down. One of her new best friends from the west coast, Tyler, had joined her in traveling back to the city. He fit right in with the friends she'd had here. A instant, perfect edition to the group. With Tyler came the promise of a pick me up, which he all but shoved in Olivia's nose himself at the last club. Claiming that she was looking tired (which was no excuse) and they both needed to suck it up, they'd sleep when they were old. The drug doing it's job as they have no plans of stopping the evening, not even as it nears the three o'clock hour. Tyler tugs on her arm once he glances up the empty glass in her hand. Pulling them to a part of the bar that seemed to be quickest of lines. The two sing the lyrics of the Madonna remix blasting through speakers. The singing stopping when the girl in front of them is finished retrieving her order, turning to leave bar. It's her name, and the voice that speaks it that snaps her out of a daze. "Oh. Rosie. Hi." She swears she feels Tyler freeze beside her, recognizing the name. "Well. This just seems to keep  happening to us. Running into each other." The big city seemed so small, at times as she laughs in an ironic way. Curiosity striking as Olivia wonders if a certain common denominator would come out from the shadows. Or if someone was keeping their word.

[rosie de la cruz]

ROSIE

It's suddenly too bright and too dim, Rosie feeling the beat of her heart furiously pick up at the acknolwedgment. All around them the bodies blur in various levels of inebriation, her dark gaze a little too sharp as it darted to Olivia's friend the moment his body zipped straight up in recognition. She isn't sure why she said anything but she's stuck in it now, passing bubbles from her drink over her tongue as the clipped greeting rolled off of her. Noting the wandering eye, hers cascading back toward the table she'd abandoned. Oblivious, as they should be. “I'm here for a friend's birthday party,” she explains curtly, nodding her head back their direction. Tate's promise unspoken, deep lines in the sand Rosie had been trying to smooth over. He wasn't here, thankfully, but she still remained outnumbered, a position that bothered her as she sipped at her drink again. Offering the almost unfathomable until it slipped from her mouth. “Do you want to talk...privately?”

[olivia hamilton]

OLIVIA

Tyler's body loosens up as soon as Olivia speaks to Rosie. Though she's sure that Rosie saw his reaction. Aware that she was a subject of conversation once upon a time, between the friends. He swerves around, moving to the spot where Rosie was just occupying, despite the music and the girl in front of her, she hears him ask the bartender for doubles. A strong drink necessary after whatever this run in was. "Oh. Nice. I hope you've been having fun." Her head nods, a soft smile touching her lips. Since they'd been here the lounge's atmosphere had been alive, energetic, but the crowds diminishing as the minutes ticked closer to daylight. If Jane were here, she'd be upset at Liv's behavior already. But she would be pleased to know there was little devil on her shoulder was fighting hard to keep a bit of peace, anxious to let her hear how she truly felt about everything. Olivia tries not to act shocked at Rosie's question, keeping a neutral face. Unsure on whether or not the few words they'd just spoken would be the gist of their awkward encounter. "Yeah, sure.. I'll be right back, Tyler." Her hand squeezes his shoulder before leading the two of them away from the prying eyes. "What's up?" This private conversation could go many of ways.

[rosie de la cruz]

ROSIE

She wasn't sure what she should have expected. Truthfully, Rosie had had much of Olivia's content blocked for her own sanity when Tate had ended it long ago, but from what she remembered she'd had a reputation for being kind. That being said, she wasn't sure what kindness she exactly deserved; being spotted out with Tate had been coincidental and unfortunate, and though she'd received enough hate comments and spam friend requests to delete her apps for a while, she also didn't blame the steely reception and surface platitudes. She could also only blame herself for the quieter area they'd found themselves in, toying mindlessly with her straw before she realized she'd have to be a little stronger than that. “Look...I don't know if it matters anymore, but nothing happened that night. It was gossip blown out of proportion...regardless, I'm sorry if it caused anything.”

[olivia hamilton]

OLIVIA

Moving to more private area sends her mind racing. Per Rosie's request, which was still a little bit of a shock to Olivia as Tyler hands her the requested beverage before they disappear from a crowd of watchful eyes. What did Rosie want to talk about? Or feel like she had to say to her? Taking a sip of the drink she tastes the double tequila, the pending conversation sending her body through a sobering moment. Hopefully this could be a quick chat, and the drink in her hand could be replaced with another. The sting of the break up hits her again. It came in waves, but with a reminder in front of her, it feels like it just happened all over again. As her eyes take in the gorgeous girl's features, she understands why Tate had such a hard time letting go of her. No matter the actual connection they had. Was she wanting to speak to her because she and Tate were going to try things again? Maybe not, he wouldn't have been so receptive to the random photos Olivia had sent to him. An apology is again not what she's expecting, unsure if that was even the correct term. It wasn't even all of her fault, their meeting more of an annoyance than the cause to their breakup "Thanks. But it's fine, ok?" What did she say back to that? Olivia surprises herself with the next words that come from her mouth. "Are you actually sorry though? You can be honest."

[rosie de la cruz]

ROSIE

This was a moment that, for once in her life, Rosie felt out of her depth. Unable to recognize the reasoning for her own request, surprise evident on Olivia's own face before she led them away. Watching as wandering eyes fluttered with familiarity at the long blond tresses, the objectively beautiful features that whirled on her when they finally found their footing. Rosie still didn't know what happened, fully. Hadn't wanted to push Tate on it, Oscar even vague on the details, Olivia's answer as much of a brush off as everyone else's had been. There's a twinge of annoyance though, of anger, that bleeds under her voice that gives Rosie even further pause, almost bracing for the next words even though she'd never expected them. Her mouth drops slightly open in shock, tongue ready to confirm what she'd said...but whatever Rosie saw in her eyes next had her quieting. Finally finding some thread of her mind that had been paralyzed and gripping on in honesty. “I don't know,” is what she decides, daring another sip at her mixed thoughts. “I just wanted him to be happy. If he was, then I'm sorry if us seeing each other got in the way of it. If he wasn't, then...I don't know.”

[olivia hamilton]

OLIVIA

The straw in her drink slips between her lips again, desperate for another sip while she watches Rosie process the question Olivia had asked. It was bold, one she surprised herself by even asking. Though she knew what the answer might already be. The shock registers on Rosie's face, her full lips dropping slightly. As if Olivia can see the wheels turning in her mind of how she might answer. Would it be honest? She was hopeful that she was, curious to know what Olivia already suspected from the start. This conversation becoming increasing more intriguing. It feels like she's waiting an eternity for a reply, standing at the edge of a seat. And when she does finally speak, Olivia has to fight back a laugh.  A chuckle wanting to escape from inside, as her words in a roundabout way meant that she wasn't sorry. "Yeah. That's what I thought." It was Olivia's turn to take a moment to think, wheels turning and new thoughts forming just from a little confession. "Was that any of your business? To know that anymore?" All their history aside, there still were boundaries. How would Rosie feel if one his other exes had sought out those answers during their relationship? Their little interaction tiptoeing along a boundary, even if it was platonic as she swore "Look. You weren't the reason we broke up. No matter how annoying that was." And it was the truth. Their lifestyles suddenly not aligning as well as they had months prior.

[rosie de la cruz]

ROSIE

A cruel sort of delight brightens Olivia's face, her answer seemingly confirming something she'd been looking for. What Rosie isn't able to discern though is if she feels triumphant or if its painful, studying the way she pushed her shoulders back, the quick return of boundaries and a sharp turn of the mirror on herself. Was it her business? She knew the right answer, the proper answer, but if there was one thing she knew about the McCarthys it was that nothing was ever truly right or proper. Rosie looks away for a moment, shoulders shrugging up only to drop when she met Liv's gaze again. “It wasn't...but I would hear about it without looking for it, too. Six years on and off with someone will do that to you.” She bites her tongue when it comes to Oscar spying for her, or Tate blowing up her phone when it came to his sister; at the end of the day she didn't need to twist a knife any further than it was already in. Olivia processing it in her own way, Rosie's presence alone probably stirring something irritating even as she admits she's not the direct cause. Finding no relief in the announcement, Rosie isn't sure whether to offer support or just let this run its course. “Why?” she finds herself asking instead, eyes widening immediately as she backpedals. “Oh god, I don't know why I asked that. That's really not my business at all, sorry."

[olivia hamilton]

OLIVIA

Olivia wants to roll her eyes at another mention of their time together.  Something no one wanted her to forget, always alluded to when the two of them or their relationship was brought up. It seemed like she couldn't escape it; and oddly enough she was standing in a dim light corner speaking with one half that she wasn't familiar with. Once again, New York City didn't seem big enough in a moment such as this. "I expected that to be the case. Six years is a lot of time. And I always understood it." Maybe Olivia had almost been too understanding at times, especially when Rosie was involved. Or whenever a conversation would lead to Tate's former girlfriend. "But there also should be a little respect for the other person involved too." In this situation, her feelings and his actual relationship at the time. Which Olivia now was comprehending that Rosie didn't seem to care about. As if Tate almost belonged to her, when he'd in fact chosen to be with Olivia over her. She chooses not to bring up that little fact, wanting to be done with this conversation sooner rather than later. And unscathed. Her jaw drops upon hearing what leaves Rosie's mouth, Rosie backpedaling immediately. "You're right, that's really not any of your business."  There she was drawing a line. Not believing that Rosie ever deserved to hear why their relationship had suddenly crumbled, truly none of her business. "I think I should head back to my friends now..."

[rosie de la cruz]

ROSIE

It was clear this was a conversation she never should have started, Rosie's awkwardness growing the longer they lingered together. As much as she could try to explain how she didn't reach out, how she tried to give him space, how she knew it wasn't her place and she'd tried to respect it all, at the end of the day it didn't matter. What was the point in convincing Olivia of anything? She was also moving past a relationship, maybe harboring secret heartbreak or anger or something, and it was best to give her space to process that. Not dig any further, words likely unsaid between both of them as Rosie hit the dredges of her drink. Anything to escape the horrid question she'd just tossed out. All she can muster is a light “Yeah," stepping away to allow her the space to return to her friends. Internally, Rosie rolled her eyes at her own idiocracy, depositing her glass onto a table top as she imagined the conversation she'd likely be recounting to her friends. Drifting back to her own collection of girls, all raucous and drunk and giggling, resting her head on her friend's shoulder as she pulled out her phone, light glowing in the dimmed room and the late hours. Trying her best to push past it all, too, even when old habits died hard.