( ZOEY DEUTCH, WOMAN, SHE/HER) ROBYN CAPULET the TWENTY-SEVEN year old is known as THE THESPIAN within the group. they are known to be DEBONAIR and MEDDLESOME which makes sense when you think about how THEY STOLE THE MAYOR’S GARDEN GNOME but i guess we’ll find out for ourselves.
before now if had been easy for miray to avoid what was happening. she wasn't particularly close to aaron so it was easier for her to deal with but cat, cat was someone she considered a friend. no. she wasn't only a friend, she was a best friend; someone miray could always count on and now she was gone. just like everyone else in miray's life always seemed to be gone eventually. the second she saw the body her entire being shut down and she wondered away from the scene. her legs carried her out of the house and over to the lake, not much caring that she was alone with a killer on the loose. being around everyone else seemed like her idea of torture. she'd managed to get a few minutes alone before she heard footsteps behind her. "if you're a psycho murderer please just make it quick and watch the face." @lakehowellstart
at this moment, in which it has become apparent there was an actual murder on the loose, no one should be alone. even with only two it seemed they weren't going to get out of here alive. leo and cat were the prime example. still, robyn felt the need to somehow protect those who were still there. who knew how long it would take before they were all murdered. " i can assure you, while i would probably be one great of a psycho murderer on stage, i am not in real life. "
the familiarity in her mannerisms hit ace harder than that of her features, and although his walls were sky-high he could feel himself softening from behind them . probably ever ? if that were the case then it wouldn't have hurt so much when she left . he's not about to go into all that though - not willing to boost her ego with reassurance that she'd been everything he'd ever wanted, his best friend, until she gave up those roles for something bigger . " i took the hint when you left the state, " his words weren't as scathing as they read, a layer of acceptance to them, maybe a little hurt by the suggestion that his ignoring her calls was anything other than a reaction . he let her question hang in the silence for a moment, trying to figure out how to even answer that . there was a time when he would tell her only the truth, and now lying felt like it had to be the default . a witty remark sat on the tip of his tongue for a moment . a shitty little ' great thanks, our friend just died ' that could be whispered out into the small space between them . instead he shrugs his shoulder that's not against the mattress and tries to scan his brain for the right answer - not necessarily the honest one. " i'm okay, " after all that thinking, his answer is decidedly shit . he waits a moment before continuing . " i think you'd be bored by how much is still the same since we last spoke . including how i am ." the different directions their lives took after high school was kind of stupid - ace living in the same area, not really embarked on his own career . just parties and travel, while robyn really went and made something of herself . if he ever let his mind wonder in drunken stupor, he envisioned all of her new experiences . people she'd loved and places she'd lived . maybe even new relationships or something serious and long term . all swimming around his brain like a made up imaginary life, one that he'd leave himself for, too . " how are you ?" his question was forced, not sure if he really wanted the answer .
the ignorance in which robyn had chosen to live all her life started to crumble down slowly with her return to michigan. the true awakening was happening right in this moment. it seemed aaron's death was only the beginning of a tragedy bound to happen. robyn never knew his words would impact her the way it did. only at this moment did she start to realize how her departure had impacted ace. her betrayal was reflected in his eyes, mixed with the slow burn hatred that had been brewing over the years or perhaps had faded from its intensity over time. it was like a hot knife tearing her apart. for once in her life, robyn was without words. during any situation robyn had always known what to say or how to act, yet in this moment she lost all matter of speech. she choose silence in acceptance.
slowly but steadily robyn started to hear the underlying tone to his voice, the bitter sweetness to his words that revealed his true intentions, not the ones he tried to mask. it was as if the fog was being lifted from her mind, making her see the world as it was not as she intended it to see. at the back of her mind she had always wondered whether he had truly loved her the way she did. it was only in retrospect that she understood that she had loved him to begin with. it seemed in every relationship that followed, it was bound to end due to her own comparison to him. robyn never realized that until this very moment. which took her by surprise even more.
" ace ... i am sorry for the way i have left. i believe it is the least i could do or say in this moment. i can even understand if you could never forgive me to begin with. but do believe me when i say that i do wish to know how your life has been ... more then anything in this world. never for a second believe i could ever be bored of anything you have to say. " robyn was highly doubtful her words could change his mind at this very moment, still she had to try to make some kind of amends. the yearning for his touch grew even bigger in that very moment. could she even afford it to have hear feelings hurt if she try to reach out and hold his hand ?
robyn drew out a long breath before giving an answer to his question, it suddenly felt more loaded. " in this very moment ? like i am drowning in a wave of emotions. " perhaps the truth could free her from this cage.
He's immediately taken aback by her reaction, prompting him to glance behind him to confirm she's addressing him. Amidst the prevalent paranoia, Robyn's response carries a distinct undertone of guilt, something he can empathize with, though he typically prides himself on subtlety. "Can you just relax?" he urges, casting a cautious glance outside to ensure their conversation remains private. Closing the door, a decision he quickly regrets, he realizes it's too late to retract. "I'm just trying to find Ace, so chill out," he murmurs, feeling his nerves prickle. Taking a seat on what he presumes to be his brother's bed, he continues, "Robyn, listen, if we want to keep this under wraps, you've got to stop startling every time we bump into each other." Often, Axel was adept at burying his emotions deep down, but he couldn't deny he was treading perilous ground by being here.
subtlety wasn't one of robyn strong suits, in fact it was a given she was always loud and proud about anything in her life. taking a hint from others however never landed well. through her rose colored glasses she only saw and heard what she desired. perhaps axel had a point in this moment. the more she acted out, the higher the chances were people would know something wasn't quite right. "relax ? who, me?? you know i never could and never can. " another mistake she couldn't quite beat. " you are right, i shall try, no guarantees. honestly, i didn't even think he would come of all people ..." they both knew who the he was in this situation. " fuck, i am just outright bad with these things. "
" no ... absolutely no ... " it was her first and only responds when axel of all people entered her room. robyn had luck on her side that it currently wasn't occupied with her roommates, preventing her from a lot of explanations she needed to do. " you need to leave ... like right now. " the chances of them ending up alone were slim to nothing, yet somehow they ended up this way. " fuck ... i hear someone. " she muttered, rushing to the door to shut it behind her and lock it up with a nearby nightstand. " what are you even doing here to begin with ?? "the theatrics were on her side once more, exaggerating the entire situation. still she couldn't help her thundering heart beating like a drum once those orbs of eternal azure and turquoise locked with hers.
ace was emotionally exhausted from the day that they'd all had, body craving some rest and sleep but flashbacks hitting him every time he closed his eyes . helping leo and burak carry aaron's body down into the basement had been stressful .. but also, traumatizing . they'd all been having a great time together and it ached to know that it had ended in that way, especially for the person who brought them all together in the first place . in the sunlight he could keep up his facade of having his shit somewhat together . he'd keep up his walls, hold his grudges . but when the nightfall came, ace couldn't help but drop it all and surrender to the fear of something else happening . no one had figured out what had happened to aaron, and although ace didn't really subscribe to the belief that someone in the house murdered him he still couldn't avoid the fact that someone did . overnight, while everyone was asleep . he put his hand under his pillow, the other one straight down at his side as he tried to avoid touching . as if that were somehow the biggest of their concerns in the moment . " no, no me neither, " he agreed, " it doesn't seem real at all ." ace couldn't even hide behind the darkness of the bedroom when he grinned at robyn's confession of needing him . was he still bruised by her exit ? of course . would he have her laying next to him like this under any other circumstance ? absolutely not . but this is where they found themselves . his eyes scanned her face, from her own eyes to her nose, her lips, taking in her soft skin and hair . it had been so long since they were this close to one another, and ten years of growing and becoming adults didn't change the familiarity in her features . he once looked into those same eyes every day . " i've been real for a long time, " the amusement was detectable even in his whisper . " i didn't stop existing when you left ." he wanted to be shitty, say more, see if there was any semblance of guilt there . he bit his tongue, knowing that today wasn't the day . a part of him did stop existing, though, with his ability to have any meaningful romantic relationship just as dead as aaron was downstairs .
the memories of their past became more vivid and clear now that she was in the presence of ace. robyn had kept them deep hidden away in a place she wouldn't dare to revisit. it was the only reason that made it easier to swallow the hard truth that she had been the reason for his heartbreak. it would make her confront her own feelings in the matter, always too afraid she was a person that couldn't be loved the way she had hoped she could. the truth she did not dare to face was the truth that she probably would have married this man if she ever had taken that leap of faith that they could have made it in the end. however in this truth and reality, that chance wouldn't ever present itself anymore. she had broken, shattered his heart to dust. all that she would be paid with is the karma of it all.
her bottom lip would tuck between her teeth, a nervous habit she hadn't beaten from her past. if it were any other person, any other occasion she would have allowed to claim a hand or piece of his clothing garment to fiddle with. even robyn knew better then allow those intrusive thoughts to get the better of her. it was even a blessing he allowed her in his bed, even when it would only be for this night. " i deserve that. " she whispered hushed after the direct jab. she had hoped he had moved on from her teenage decisions and that he departure hadn't left such an impact. his words however proved otherwise. she should have given him an explanation one way or another, yet she had never known nor understood the damage she had done by leaving without a proper goodbye. " i know i haven't really been a good girlfriend, let alone friend to you ... probably ever. i just took the hint whenever you stopped picking up the phone. "
the darkness allowed her to feel more at ease with her thoughts and concerns. there was more to his words then he was letting on. she did not know whether this moment was the right time to probe and figure out what he was going on about. " how are you ace, truly ?? " it was an open ended question, one that could create and opportunity for him to speak up his truth or keep his silence forever. it was his chance to get the whole story or bury whatever they had forever.
at the height of the situation, robyn had yet to take a grip on her emotions, give her grief a place. emotions always fueled robyns day to day dramatics, yet today she allowed grief to swallow her up. the center of attention did not feel comfortable during a murder. a fire seemed more suitable to allow her feelings to flow into the dancing flames. the intense stare revealed nothing of her true intentions or meaning behind her mask.
when he'd arrived to the lake house, ace had been a little pissed at where he'd ended up staying . sharing a room in general was a bit shit, even though he figured the weekend-long party wouldn't involve a whole lot of sleeping . but not being able to avoid the one person on the trip who he had deep, unresolved history with ? it was a lot . and just as he thought he made it to the end of the trip without anything dramatic happening, it got an indefinite extension . but sharing a room with someone that he once loved at least meant that he could try and protect her . he could sense that robyn lay awake, too . the intermittent checking of the phone gave it away, and ace was just glad to not be alone in consciousness . he could hear the movement of her bedsheets and her light steps bringing her closer to his bed . it was instinctive when he turned to face her, shuffling back so that she had space to climb in . " hey, " he spoke lowly, avoiding waking the other two who seemed to be asleep . he reached down to pull the covers back so that she could climb in before laying it over the both of them, his smile soft when he caught her eye contact in the midst of the movement . " this takes me back a few years ." his voice was soft as he spoke, if not a little hazy from exhaustion . " what a fucked up day . here," he spoke as he shuffled the pillows so that she had her own . he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable when they needed each other .
the tension between them had been high ever since robyn left. no one could blame ace for the way he acted towards her. he truly tried to be civil with her and all robyn could do was brush his feelings off like they hadn't been there to begin with. they never truly discussed what had happened and what kind of impact it had on either of them. robyn never had felt the need for her head was in the clouds and only longing for the fame broadway could bring. still, the impact of her decisions started to wear down on her the older she got and the more lonely she became. had she made the right choice in her past or did she fear what could have possibly come from their comitment.
it wasn't fair of robyn to climb in his bed and act like she had the right to seek comfort with him. it was in the moment that he made space for her that robyn became aware of her action and how this could have easily backfired for her. instead he seemed to accept her approach for comfort in a time they both grieved. "hi." she whispered back, her words brushing his cheek gently the way it did back in the days. facing him, being this close in his presence brought her right back to when they were eighteen, madly in love and without a care in the world. how times had changed. still her heart yearned for that time, in which the future was still unwritten and their dreams still ready to be chased. " i get the same feeling. " robyn agreed, placing her hands under need her head, afraid of what they would do if she allowed them to wander. " it is and i just ... cannot comprehend how this is real. " while she firstly was seeking of aaron's dead, her mind couldn't stop itself from wandering that she couldn't believe being here with him either. " i just ... needed you. " she confessed without any shame. she had always been bold and straight to the point. time hadn't changed that part of her. " and somehow i cannot believe you are real. " the need to draw in closer was there, to lay her head upon his collarbone the way she used to. but even robyn knew that wasn't possible any longer. she destroyed that part of them a long time ago.
" i know, i know, this could feed an entire army. " robyn mused the moment ivy entered the kitchen. " i just needed to ... bake. " growing up in new york and trying to find her place on broadway, there needed to be ways to occupy her time in between the wait. while the money had never been a problem in her life, the baking life simply drew to her in ways she never imagined. now during stressful periods in her life, robyn would bake to cope. while it normally it would only be a few cookies or a cake. with the amount of stress that came to finding aaron dead, made her bake an entire feast in the hopes of quieting her mind. " please, eat !! it would be such a shame throwing this away. "
not a single person, not even in their wildest nightmares, could have predicted the outcome of their little getaway. the image of aaron pale faced and bruised was engraved in her brain and would probably never disappear. to make matters even worse, they did not have a way out. no signal, no fuel, no means to make it out. it brought the eerie feeling that whoever had done this wanted them to stay, wanted them to feel a pain and fear that would consume them. even when they made the promise to stick together, no allowing a single person to be alone from this moment forward, that still did not erase the dread and concern. until they had a better plan, they all needed sleep.
robyn had tried with all her might to get sleep somehow. still, the palpitations created by a mixture of anxiety and adrenaline kept her wide awake. there she was laying in the dark, staring at the ceiling and hoping she would make it through the night. once more she checked her phone in the hopes of finding a signal. it was during that little check up that she noticed the twisting and turning next to her. the bed in which ace laid. even having him this close couldn't give her the sense of peace she was aching for. it seemed he might as well have been affected by this tragedy far worse then she had. while her mind told her she needed to let him rest, let the past be the past. her heart couldn't let it rest, it couldn't face the fact he was in pain. before she was even aware of it herself, robyn would get out of her bed and climb into his, the way she had in their past. in her mind she kept telling herself this was to ease his suffering, but in her heart she knew it was to ease her own as well. only he had ever made her feel totally and completely loved.
it's the lack of care and responsibility that bothers danbi the most. sure, the logical part of her argues that maybe she should come clean about her grievances, because how can you expect people to know you feel wronged when you don't vocalise it, but she isn't mature enough for that. she may never be. ❝ i am not pissing on literature, ❞ she retorts, offended. even if it wasn't her favourite, she's always had respect for the written word. it doesn't matter who wrote it or when, but the person quoting it will always matter. ❝ and what exactly do you mean by the way you are? ❞ she can't tell if it's a compliment or if she's being made fun of.
the intent of her words didn't quite register with her. somehow an underlying meaning could be noted by her clipped manner of speaking. if only robyn ever paid any attention to others, perhaps then she would notice what was being presented to her in this moment. " i almost feared you did. " once more she brushed the little jab of words right off her shoulders. " nothing honestly, you know how i am, always making it more then it truly is. "
"Well consider me lighting up a second for you after this one" he laughed, "I could easily go for another" he smiled. Oli didn't really have any commitments outside of this life style, he happily enjoyed traveling the word and hanging with friends compared to those of his friends who actually worked. "I have been good" he nodded before taking a drag, "I spent a month in France" he smiled before exhaling, "I've done a lot of travelling but that's not really new, what about you? How have you been?"
knowing her friend, chances were it wouldn't stay with two either. robyn did try to treat her body like a temple, perhaps that was what new york had thought her, however she wasn't quite like it in the past. perhaps the past would pursue her once more in the presence of everyone she had once been friends with. " must be great to see the world. while i should probably do it myself ... i can't quite leave the city behind. the roar of the chaos is all mine and leaving the stage is something i probably do when i am dead. "
