forum Dorm Room 210 [Private RP // Closed — Stalkers welcome!]

Started February 26, 2019 by @Imperfect_Autumn group

tune

Amber smiled softy back at the young manager, giving her a small nod. "From what I've heard about you, you definitely deserve this. They think highly of you."

"Thank you," she replied softly.

"C'mon, time to get the cake," Casper grinned, and it looked quite weird on his usually fierce face. "We got your favorite."

Soon, everyone was standing around the table, Caroline with a knife in her hands. She cut the cake and was rewarded with rough voices singing her happy birthday. She was smiling, a cheerful look in her eyes. William's eyes never strayed from her. She certainly looked beautiful when she was happy. He loved it.

"Okay, can we give her our presents now?" Jace asked excitedly. "I have a feeling she'll love my gift."

"Can we now?" Jude jumped in, looking more at Drew and Holden than anyone else. When they nodded, the boys cheered.

Caroline received a whole series from Jace, the one she offhandedly mentioned she wanted to read once. Jude gifted her a dinosaur onesie, one which she laughed at. Parker had shoes for her, Casper and Jordan had a lamp in the shape of a book for her, along with a finger-pointing bookmark, while Holden got her a pretty mug with her name on it. Drew gave her a bronze arrowhead keychain, knowing about her love for ancient history.

Caroline was, to say the least, extremely happy.

Amber watched as the guys have their gifts to their manager, smiling at the sight. Everyone looked so happy… She hoped she would have friends like that someday.

"I got you something, too, actually," she said, holding out a thinner box wrapped in gold paper. "I wasn't sure what to get you, since we just met the other day, but I thought this mighty be useful."

Caroline took the box in appreciation.

"Thank you, Amber," she said softly. "It means a lot. I don't really know what to think…"

Amber gave her a small smile and stepped back to let her open it. Inside was a set of stationary, everything in a rose gold. A clipboard was in the center of the box, surrounded by thumbtacks, paper clips, notepads, and other such items.

Caroline opened the gift with wonder in her eyes, her gray orbs shining. She looked up at Amber. This girl, she thought, was truly wonderful. No wonder Jace had taken a liking to her…

"Thank you," she said again, this time softer and quieter. Then everyone got settled to eat and drink, chatting loudly amongst themselves. When William saw a chance, he pulled her away from the group, pulling her into her guest room. Caroline raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on his behavior.

"I… have something for you, too," he murmured, reaching in the pocket of his hoodie to take out a black box. It was held closed by a golden ribbon, a soft and shiny fabric. Caroline hesitantly reached out to open the box, her eyes taking in the necklace that appeared before her. It had a golden chain with a small, silver crystal. Caroline felt her breath leave her lungs. William had gotten that for her? She couldn't believe it. She stared at him with her mouth open, unable to say anything. William merely smiled at her.

"William, I–"

"May I?" he gestured to her necklace, silently asking her if he could put it on her. Caroline hesitated, but handed it to him and turned around nonetheless, moving her hair to the side. Slowly, she felt William getting nearer until his chest nearly touched her back. The cold necklace touched her bare neck, sending shivers down her spine.

When William finished clasping it with incredible care, she moved to turn to face him when his arms wrapped around her middle, pulling her towards him, chin rested on her head. William's eyes were closed, his breathing evened. Caroline's breath hitched.

"William–"

"I know," he cut her off again, his voice rough. "And I understand. There's nothing I'm expecting from you, but let me stay like this. For a while, let me hold you."

She didn't relax in his hold, but she didn't push him away, either. She wished she could give him what he wanted, but it wasn't like she could create feelings out of nowhere. She just wished he'd stop looking at her and instead find another girl who shared his feelings.

(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/478859372876721627/

The necklace~)

(Jskdkskksdjdnddn)

Amber slipped away from the group to use the bathroom. On her way, she passed the cracked-open door of a room, where Caroline was holding her hair up for William. The man was gently clasping a necklace around her neck, and he pulled her into his chest when he'd finished.

This… does not look like siblings… she mused to herself, gaping for a moment before managing to shut her mouth and begin to turn and walk away.

“Will… William?” Caroline murmured out his name when he didn’t let go. “We should… head back before anyone notices we’re gone.”

William clicked his tongue, but didn’t loosen his hold on her. He didn’t want to. He wanted to continue holding her like this. God knows how much he longed to have her this close. No matter how many times he showed her his gentler side, he knew she was still afraid. Afraid of his anger. Afraid he’d hurt her. And he didn’t blame her—it was easier to turn your back against something that could potentially turn toxic. He just wished she trusted him a bit more—opened her heart for him.

Finally, he let go, missing her warmth just as quickly as he stepped back. Her cheeks were tinted pink, but he didn’t get his hopes up. She had remained tense and rigid in his arms. That was enough to keep him on his feet.

“Let’s go,” he murmured, opening the door to step out. Caroline followed after him, thankful that no one had noticed they were gone.

Amber returned from the batheroom nor long after William and Caroline had broken apart. She'd mulled over her thoughts, which were turning and tumbling around her brain. Sitting beside Jace, she smiled up at him a little before kissing his cheek.

Jace looked at Amber before smiling at the kiss she gave him.

“Hey there, where were you?” He murmured. “Are you enjoying the party?”

"Bathroom. And, yes, I am," Amber answered with a smile. "Again, thanks for inviting me."

“You’re welcome,” he flashed her a wink.

“Ooh, that’s a pretty necklace you’ve got there, manager~” Jude piped up, grinning at Caroline’s necklace. Everyone’s attention turned towards the manager, who fought hard not to let her cheeks turn pink. She succeeded, but reached out to finger her present. “Let me guess—it was the little brother?”

William was grateful his hands were in his pockets. Even if he could clench them, no one would notice. Did they really not realize that what he felt for her was not a sibling affection? His jaw clenched, eyes resorting to burn with anger. He controlled himself. He could not ruin Caroline’s day.

Caroline, however, chuckled.

“William has really good taste,” she said softly, not bothering to correct Jude. “It’s amusing how you can just tell it was him who got it for me.”

“Of course it’s always him,” Parker rolled his eyes. “He’s never failed to give you something, and he always gives it the last.”

“Anyway,” Drew interrupted, setting down his plate. “We should play a game. Anyone has an idea?”

Amber's eyes flickered between William and Caroline during the conversation. The former looked ticked off, while the latter seemed to have no clue… Interesting.

"What about charades?" Amber suggested.

“That sounds fun,” Jace grinned, throwing an arm around Amber’s shoulders. “What sort of category do you want?”

“Any,” Jordan shrugged. “Any is fine.”

“Let’s do movies,” Amber suggested with a mischievous grin. “I know how I would win against Jace…”

Jace looked at her in alarm. "Don't you dare use my weakness against me, Amber."

Amber winked up at him. “Which one, loverboy?”

"I'm not going to say, of course," Jace responded, turning his head away. "You're a jerk, Amber."

“Mm, I like to think I give incentive,” Amber laughed lightly. “Okay, how about we do animals instead?”

"That works," Parker crossed his arms, leaning back. "Animals are fun to do. Just remember that I'll be recording you all."

"Then we'll do the same for you, Parker," Drew rolled eyes. "So don't worry about it."

After the party, everyone decided to go back home. Out of the basketball team, only Jude, Jace and William were left.

"All right, I'm going, too," Jude stretched. "It was fun planning and eating, but the cleaning was not amusing."

"Tell me about it," Jace groaned. "Anyway, Amber, you wanna spend the night at my dorm?"

Amber looked over at Jace from where she was pulling her coat on and blinked in slight surprise. “Oh. Um… I don’t— Maybe some other time?” she suggested, giving him a small smile.

Jace frowned, scratching the back of his head. "Aw, but I'll miss you. We don't have college tomorrow, either. I wanted to watch something with you, too."

“I’ll come over tomorrow as soon as I’m dressed,” Amber promised with a soft chuckle.

Jace opened his mouth to ask her again but closed it.

"Okay," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Can I at least walk you home?"

Amber smiled and reached up to kiss his cheek. “Of course. I would like that.”

(Poor Will is going to be stuck with these two on his way to the dorm…)

Jace grinned, bending down to nuzzle her neck. “Perfect,” he murmured, leading her out of the door, Jude following after them but taking a different direction.

William watched them leave, sighing, running a hand through his hair before he turned to look towards Caroline. The birthday girl had her eyes on him already, observing him.

“William… move on,” she said to him softly after a few seconds of silence. “It’s been two years already.”

William merely snorted.

“You know, I hate it when they refer to me as your little brother,” he took a step towards her, bending down until their faces were inches apart. “Even though I know that’s all I’ll ever be to you, I still hate it. Goodnight, Caroline. I’ll see on Monday.”

He turned his back on her, walking out of the door and shutting it behind him. To his dismay, the couple hadn’t gotten very far. William began to take slow steps, hoping to keep his distance from them both.

(Oof. Poor Will…)

Amber has her arm around Hace as they walked, leaning into him to “preserve body heat.” It was pretty cold out, seeing as it was almost winter, but she really just liked to be close to him.

“I’d invite you inside when we get there, but William probably wouldn’t like that very much,” she chuckled.

Jace linked their fingers together, satisfied with the way she had been leaning into him. It was cold and his nose was starting to turn pink, and being near her provided him with warmth.

“Who cares?” Jace snorted. “He can take his fit and shove it down his throat.”