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[Friday, August 31]: Welcome home, everyone! In celebration of everyone being back in town, Valerie is holding a barbeque at her house. Stop by and say hello to your old friends and have a couple of drinks. The party will be running all through the night, so plan on staying awhile.
 
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story tomorrow!

August 24: Mila's half-brother, Conor is throwing a party at his friend's loft in Brooklyn. Hope you can keep up with the Brits and their 'British Invasion' because tonight is bound to get crazy. There'll be booze, strobe lights, loud music.
 
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I was ready to party tonight. School had already started to suck away my adventuring soul and it was beginning to leave me bored, restless, and itching to go do something stupid and impulsive. So here I was, walking down some street in Brooklyn, headed to the address of a party that Mila's brother was throwing.
 
I could hear the music from half a block away, and I grinned to myself, knowing I was heading in the right direction. I scaled the stairs, following the heavy thumping of the bass, and found the old, scuffed door ajar when I found the source of all the noise.
 
I let myself in, my smile broadening when I saw that this party was not only in full swing, it was going to be one for the books - and thus, certainly one I wouldn't remember in its entirety by morning.
 
- - -
 
The next thing I knew, I was on the floor in a corner. My head was pounding, the room was spinning, and I felt sick. I looked down at the drink in my shaky hand; there must have been more than alcohol in it. I dropped it to the floor, watching the liquid spill out, and staggered to my feet.
 
"Where you going, love? The party's just getting started!" Someone with an accent that matched mine called after me as I stumbled for the door.
 
I was having a difficult time telling the walls, floor, and ceiling apart, but somehow I made it out the door. But then came stairs. Oh boy. I leaned against the railing, gripping it tightly, but my head wouldn't stop spinning.
 
My shaking hand dropped to my pocket and I struggled to pull my mobile from the pocket of my denim shorts. I pressed the number 2 on my speed-dial and waited, clutching the railing and shutting my eyes, as it rang.
 
Finally Martin picked up. "Miss Eve, you know it's past midnight, don't you? You're supposed to let me know /ahead/ of time if you need me to pick you up after mid-"
 
"Martin, I need you to come get me please." The words tumbled from my mouth messily, like they too were spinning and trying not to be sick.
 
I heard movement from the other end of the line. "Where are you? Give me the address."
 
I clenched my fingers tightly around the railing as I rummaged through my fuzzy, dizzy brain to remember the number and the street. "In Brooklyn," I added.
 
"Brooklyn? What on earth - are you okay? Are you safe?"
 
"Yes, I'm safe. I don't feel well, I think someone put something in my drink."
 
"Give me twenty minutes, I'm leaving now."
 
"Thank you, Martin. You're the best."

Wednesday August 22: School is officially starting today. Make sure to arrive on time. You would hate to make a bad first impression.
 
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comment if you want to be included in the story or do a collab!

Name: Amelia Sadri
 
Age: 23
 
Likes: typewriters, films, cigarettes, vodka, rainy days, her motorcycle, coffee, nutella, blacks and greys, boots
 
Dislikes: the color pink, springtime, airplanes, suburbia, socialites, reminders of her family's deaths, judgmental people
 
Job: currently working at the Starbucks in the center of town to make ends meet, but dreams of becoming a professional screenwriter.
 
Family:
--> mother - Elena Sadri (Joely Richardson) ; deceased at age 42.
--> father - Andrei Sadri (Richmond Arquette) ; deceased at age 43.
--> sister - Anya Sadri (Troian Bellisario) ; deceased at age 15.
 
Bio: (At least 8 sentences so we can get a good feel of your character) Amelia has never really fit in with the other citizens of Lewisburg. She has always been very quiet and reserved, and the other kids often found her intimidating growing up due to her strong Russian bone structure, her stoic attitude, and her perfect grades. While the other kids her age were at school dances and football games, Amelia was usually at home, watching movies or clicking away at her typewriter. When she went away to the University of Oxford in London, she was ready for a fresh start. However, tragedy struck when her parents and her sister were killed in a plane crash while flying over to visit her for spring break during her freshman year. Even though the accident happened when she was 18, Amelia still hasn't been able to forgive herself and stop feeling like it's her fault that her family was killed. Afterwards, she had to sell the house she grew up in and move to London to finish her schooling. There was a silver lining to be found, though, as it was at Oxford that Amelia met Oliver Addis. They quickly became close friends and now live together in Lewisburg.
 
Relationship Status: single, but rumor has it that there's more than friendship brewing beneath the surface of her relationship with Oliver.
 
Model: Rooney Mara
 
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Name: Oliver Addis
 
Age: 24
 
Job: teaches French and English at Whiteford High School
 
Bio: A born Englishman, Oliver has always been a parent's dream child. He excelled in school and received a full scholarship to Oxford, where he met Amelia while studying English Literature and French.
 
Relationship Status: officially single, but has hidden feelings for Amelia for a couple of years now.
 
Model: Joseph Gordon-Levitt
 
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STORY:
 
By my count, I had made twenty-two lattes, fourteen cappuccinos, and thirty-eight coffees today. The loudly ticking clock on the wall informed me that I had sixteen minutes remaining of my second shift of the day. I was exhausted. Starbucks' paychecks weren't all that substantial, and neither was a teacher's salary, so I was stuck working double shifts twice a week and Oliver was covering every class and detention session that he could get his hands on, just so that we could pay our rent and fill up our gas tanks.
 
The bell above the door jingled as someone came in.
 
"Hi, welcome. What can I get for you?" I asked, plastering a smile on my face as they'd taught me to do during training.
 
"A grande macchiato with a double shot of espresso, skim milk and light sugar." I was always amazed at how quickly these people could rattle off their orders, each more complicated than the next.
 
"And your name?"
 
"Paula."
 
I scribbled the name down on a cup and went about making the beverage. I'd been working here enough that it had become mostly autopilot, measuring the milk, scooping the sugar, blah blah blah. I'd had an idea for a script tickling the back of my mind all day but I'd only managed a minute to hastily write down a few keywords on a paper napkin, which was now shoved into my pocket.
 
"Here you go, Paula. Have a great day."
 
She didn't tip. My manager probably would've said it was because I didn't smile enough, but really, at what point does smiling for money become a sort of prostitution?
 
Finally, my shift ended. I clocked out and waved to my reliever, Danny, who was still in high school. I traded in my apron for my motorcycle helmet and leather jacket that were hanging on my hook in the back room and headed out the back. My bike was parked in the corner of the alley.
 
I was just about to kick the ignition when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I sighed and tugged my helmet off to answer it.
 
"Hello?"
 
"Hey, d'you want Chinese or pizza for dinner tonight?" said Oliver. I smiled to myself at the sound of his voice. "I've been grading papers all afternoon and I expect you won't want to cook either, so what's your fancy?"
 
"Chinese, please."
 
"Will do. See you soon."
 
"Bye." I hung up, tucked my phone back into my pocket, and kicked my bike to life. It growled underneath me as I pulled out into the street, headed for the cramped apartment that Oliver and I called home.
 
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@b0hemian-lovers, @labellabeautyxo

Monday August 20: Orientation today! Head on down to school in the morning, but don't worry. You get to leave at 12 pm.
 
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It was orientation day. The school year had crept back up on us, but I didn't mind too much. School gave me plenty of opportunities to skip class and roam around the campus, finding adventure in unexpected places.
 
Not at orientation, though. We were separated into groups and brought around the buildings, showed where our classes would be, introduced to clubs and extracurriculars. The whole thing was far too organized for my taste.
 
We were at a seminar about the theatre club when I started to tune out and look around at the other girls in my year. I could see a ginger girl I wasn't familiar with a few rows in front of me; all I could see of her was her beautiful hair, but I made a mental note to try and introduce myself. Maybe she was a sort of misfit here too.
 
After the theatre club thing, we were done. I was on my way out of the building when I spotted Camila. I was pleasantly surprised when she waved hello to me.
 
"Hey! How have you been?" she asked once we were close enough to talk.
 
"Quite well, thanks! How about you? Not dreading school too much, I hope." I laughed.
 
She shrugged. "It's inevitable. It's good to see everybody again, although I have spotted a few outfits that I hope I never have to see again."
 
We chatted for a bit longer, then went our separate ways. Martin was supposed to pick me up and bring me back home, but I called him and told him I'd find my own way. Meandering around New York City was a great adventure, that much I knew.

[cliche title, i know. but this version of the song is beautiful.]
 
Friday August 17: Tonight, the adults are out for dinner, so Marci will be hosting a sleepover at her summer mansion. Who knows, maybe the boys will even show up?
 
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collab with @vikkirose
 

Kennedy and I were getting ready for the slumber party in my room, and we were running late.
 
"C'mon Kens, we're going to be late!"
 
"Fashionably late," she retorted from inside my bathroom. "And you're not even dressed anyway."
 
I laughed, knowing she was right. But it wasn't like my comfy tee and shorts took long to don anyway. I heard the door open and look over to see Kennedy come out in a beautiful silk chemise.
 
"Oh wow! Where did you get that? It's stunning!"
 
She smiled. "Thanks! I got it at some lingerie store uptown. I meant to wear it on Sam's birthday but I figured tonight was as good a night as any for its debut."
 
"Well, the other girls are going to be so jealous. I'll have to make sure nobody draws on your face with Sharpie or shaves off one of your eyebrows."
 
She laughed and pushed me out of the way of the mirror, where I was putting the finishing touches on my makeup. "Go get dressed, Eve."
 
I hurried into the bathroom and quickly changed into my clothes for the party. Kennedy gave me the usual pre-party once-over when I emerged.
 
"Casual, comfy, but chic. I like it," she said with an approving nod. I faked a curtsy and thanked her.
 
We headed downstairs and out onto the front steps, where Martin was waiting for us in the town car.
 
"What kind of party is this anyway? You're hardly dressed!" he said, purposefully not looking in the rear view mirror as we slid into the backseat.
 
"A slumber party, Martin! We're /supposed/ to be in pyjamas. Now step on it, won't you? We're late."
 
He grinned and shook his head, accelerating into the New York City traffic.
 
--> the story continues here: http://www.polyvore.com/notice_that_you_got_it/set?id=56557689

Tuesday August 14: Felicity is finally hitting the big one-seven today and why not show how much you're maturing than a hardy game of Laser Tag! Head on down to the abandoned Botanical Gardens park for some nighttime stealth.
 
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I was crouched behind a thick rosebush listening intently for approaching enemies when all of a sudden, I heard footsteps behind me. I crouched lower, pressing my body closer to the bush to try to hide.
 
"You take this pretty seriously, don't you? And don't worry, I'm on your team."
 
I looked over and saw Camila crouching next to me, peering around for opponents. She rested her laser gun on the grass next to her and sat down for a rest.
 
"Might as well try to win at something," I said with a wry smile. "How are you doing?"
 
"Okay, I guess. I haven't played laser tag in years."
 
"Nor have I. It's good exercise, though."
 
"Except you're hiding," Camila said with a laugh.
 
"Good point. It's good hiding practice?" I offered, shaking my head. "Oh, shh, look! Here comes somebody-"
 
And then my glowy laser vest beeped and blinked angrily as I was shot in the chest.
 
"Ha, gotcha!" I recognized Jade as she ran over triumphantly and shot Camila too for good measure. "C'mon, are you guys resting or something? Get up and get in the action!" She bolted off before I could say anything or even shoot her back.
 
"Well, my hiding place is no good anymore. I'm going to get a move on, are you coming?" I said to Camila.
 
She shook her head. "You go on, get the worth out of those shoes."
 
I shook my head, smiled, and ran off.
 
It really was dark out here, I was thinking to myself when --
 
"OW -- sorry!"
 
I rubbed my forehead, which was now throbbing from the collision, and saw Meredith sprawled out on the grass in front of me. Fabulous, I'd just run over one of the most popular girls at school.
 
"Oh god, I'm sorry! I couldn't see you!"
 
"Ow, my head --"
 
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry, Meredith, it was a total accident!"
 
"It's whatever, I ran into you too. Oh, and by the way --"
 
And I got shot in the chest again.

Monday August 13: Spend the afternoon on fifth avenue for a shopping spree with friends! Have lunch at Pepper & Co or go for some frozen yogurt at Pinkberry.
 
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does anybody want in on the story or want to do a collab? :)

Sunday August 12: Head down to the beach with your gals and enjoy the afternoon before we return to the city.
 
[note: Sorry my sets have been a bit sporadic lately! I've been busier than I thought so I haven't had that much time to make sets/write stories. I'll try my best to keep up; please bear with me!]
 
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I had always loved the beach: the sand between my toes, the ocean stretching out for miles and miles and miles until it disappeared beneath the curvature of the earth. I liked sitting under the hot sun, staring at the waves, knowing that the body of water before me was part of what connected the entire world. And yet, it covered such a colossal expanse.
 
The group of girls was all lined up, laying atop their beach towels and tanning. It looked like most were either asleep, talking to each other, or engrossed in a book or a magazine, so I stood and headed for the water. The waves rushed up my calves as I waded in, warmed beneath the summer sun. I kept going.
 
And going, and going, and going.
 
Eventually, I was swimming. The rocky surface had disappeared from beneath my feet and I was swimming out to sea, all on my own, the exhilaration of adventure pushing me onward, forward, out further and further and further. I swam until I felt like I had gone far enough, and then I stopped, treading water, feeling it rush across my skin. I looked over my shoulder; I could barely see the shore; the cottages dotting the beach were mere specks on the horizon. Looking around, there wasn't even a boat or ship in sight. I was alone out here, just the sea and I, and I inhaled the salty air deeply.
 
After a while I decided I should head back; I really ought not to miss the train back to the city. I swam back, only starting to feel fatigue when I had reached the shore. The other girls were all in the same positions, save for some that had flipped over to tan their backs or whatnot. I resumed my position on my towel and stared at the sea again. I felt as though I had conquered something, I didn't know what. But the euphoria of adventure had not left me, and I knew I would be replenishing it soon.

Friday August 10: Mark Brooks and Ryan Huntington have decided to get everyone together tonight at 180 Fifth for drinks and some dancing depending on how drunk we get!
 
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Ah, this party was much more to my liking. Everyone was gathered around the bar, relaxed (probably due to the alcohol that was flowing) and having a good time. I could see the guys that had organized the event towards the center of the bar, chatting up some of the girls. I made my way toward the nearest barman, ordering a vodka tonic once I had caught his attention. I felt a tap on my shoulder as I waited for my drink.
 
"Hi, I'm Camila. Why did you wear flats to this?" She took a sip from her near-empty martini glass, and I noticed her ankles were a bit wobbly in her high heels. Tipsy, probably.
 
"Hi, I'm Genevieve. And um, because I don't really do well with heels." I shrugged. "I'm a bit too clumsy for them."
 
She nodded, sipping again. "Okay. Well, nevertheless I do like your shoes. Pleasure meeting you." She shook my hand, turned, and disappeared into the crowd.
 
"Vodka tonic, here you go," said the barman from behind me. I turned around and took it, smiling and offering him my thanks. I sipped it and slid onto the vacant stool beside me; I wasn't quite tall enough so I kicked my feet in the air, watching the drunkest of us dance farther off.
 
"Hey, it's Genevieve, isn't it?"
 
I looked up and saw a blonde girl with a beautiful dress smiling at me.
 
"Yes, it is. Audrey, right?"
 
Audrey nodded.
 
"I adore your dress, by the way."
 
"Oh, thank you! I got it at some store in the Village. I was out there looking for some new guitar strings and I stumbled across it."
 
"Well, you certainly got lucky! It's absolutely lovely."
 
A popular girl I knew of from school, Meredith, joined us shortly afterwards, complimenting my bag. She seemed to be sizing me up as we chatted, and I tried to sit a little straighter. I'd heard that being on her good side paid off, after all. She had a margarita in her hand and impeccably painted nails.
 
"How is that margarita?" I asked her. "I've never really been that into them but I'm thinking I'll give it a go."
 
"It's fair, not too amazing." Meredith shrugged her thin shoulders. "Where are you from, by the way?"
 
"London originally, but my mum moved here a few years ago." It was nervewracking talking to one of the most popular girls at Constance, but it seemed like I was doing okay.
 
"London! That's cool, I've always wanted to go on vacation there." A couple of other girls, Elizabeth and Jayci, waved her over from across the room and Meredith smiled at Audrey and I before she departed.
 
"How'd I do?" I couldn't refrain from asking Audrey once Meredith was out of earshot.
 
She laughed. "Pretty good, I think. I don't know, I'm not really in the popular crowd."
 
"Me either... obviously," I said, laughing. "We ought to hang out more often, what do you say?"
 
I really did owe the alcohol quite a bit for bringing me out of my shell.