⊹₊⟡⋆ 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 ..! ⊹₊⟡⋆

. ݁₊ ⊹ (The Bascketball Diaries) .. #

"because you and i we were born to live"

The fall air in New York was crisp, wrapping the city in a cool embrace. The streets were littered with leaves, their colors ranging from bright amber to deep crimson, drifting like confetti on the sidewalks. A gust of wind rattled through the trees, carrying the unmistakable scent of coffee and roasted chestnuts. Inside the small café, tucked on the corner of a bustling street, the warmth of hot cocoa and fresh pastries provided a cozy refuge from the cold.

Lauren sat by the large glass window, watching as people passed by, bundled in scarves and coats, their breath visible in the chilly air. The city outside was beautiful, the golden hues of fall making everything feel alive. Yet, inside the café, things were still, quiet, the perfect place for conversation.

𝑨𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏'𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌

Adrian slipped into the chair across from Lauren, shrugging off her jacket and smoothing back her hair as the barista brought over their drinks—two steaming cups of coffee, the aroma filling the small space. Adrian glanced out the window, admiring the view for a moment before turning to Lauren. “So, what’s this all about?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lauren took a sip of her coffee, letting the warmth spread through her. “Well,” she began, a small smirk forming on her lips. “I figured we’re the two people in our group who are absolutely terrible at relationships. Might as well talk about it.”

Adrian let out a soft laugh, leaning back in her chair. “You think I’m struggling with relationships? I’m not even sure I’m in one anymore, im not even sure i was in one to begin with” she admitted, a hint of bitterness creeping into her voice. “It’s been, like, two weeks since I’ve heard from Jim. I don't even know what we are anymore.”

Lauren nodded knowingly. “Exactly! That’s what I mean. It’s like... we’re just bad at this whole thing. Relationships. Romance. All of it.”

Adrian scoffed, taking a long sip of her coffee. “I wouldn’t say I’m bad at it,” she muttered, “but he sure is. I mean, look at it—I'm the one who brought him around my friends because I actually liked him. I wanted him to be part of my life, and now he’s just... gone? How is that fair?”

Lauren leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table. “And that’s what’s so messed up, right? We care, we put in the effort, and what do we get in return? Nada.” She sighed dramatically. “It’s the same story with me. Every Asshole I like ends up having some major flaw, and I’m stuck picking up the pieces.”

Adrian looked at her, intrigued. “What do you mean? Like, what flaws?”

“Oh, you know,” Lauren shrugged. “One guy was too clingy, the next one was emotionally unavailable. One thought we were boyfriend and girlfriend by the second date, and another couldn’t commit even after months of seeing each other. I swear, it’s like I’m a magnet for terrible relationships.” She rolled her eyes, sipping her coffee again. “I’m a lover girl, what can I say? I catch feelings fast, and they end just as quickly.”

Adrian laughed softly, shaking her head. “You just need to chill a little, stop expecting every guy to be the one after a couple dates.”

Lauren sighed. “I know, I know. But sometimes, I just want it to work, you know?”

Adrian raised her cup. “To us,” she said dryly. “Two single bitches destined for a lifetime of bad dates.”

Lauren grinned, clinking her cup against Adrian’s. “Cheers to that. Maybe we should just marry each other if we’re still single in ten years.”

“Deal,” Adrian said, laughing. “You can hook up with whoever you want on the side, though.”

“Same goes for you,” Lauren teased. They shared a lighthearted smile before a pause settled over the table, the weight of their relationship frustrations hanging in the air.

Adrian took another sip of her coffee, her expression growing more serious. “Honestly, though, Jim makes me feel like I’m the one in the wrong. Like, I’m supposed to be the one reaching out. But why should I? He’s the one who disappeared. He should be apologizing to me. I brought him into my world, introduced him to my friends, and now... nothing. I don’t get it.”

Lauren nodded in agreement. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. We give these guys too much, and they don’t give us anything in return. It’s like, what are we supposed to do?”

“Be single bitches forever, I guess,” Adrian joked, but there was an edge of truth in her words.

Lauren laughed, but there was a shared understanding between them. “Exactly.”

Just then, a young man approached their table, smiling politely as he cleared away their empty plates. Adrian barely noticed him, but as he walked away, Lauren leaned over, whispering, “Girl, he was totally flirting with you.”

Adrian frowned, glancing over her shoulder. “Was he? I didn’t even notice.”

“That’s your problem, Adrian! You’re so closed off, you don’t even see it when guys are interested. You need to loosen up a bit, have some fun.”

Adrian rolled her eyes. “Fun? Dating’s not fun, it’s exhausting.”

Lauren shook her head with a grin. “You’re hopeless.”

Adrian shrugged. “Maybe, but I’m fine with it. It’s not like I need a relationship.”

“Right,” Lauren said, smirking. “But admit it—Jim is still on your mind, isn’t he?”

Adrian sighed, leaning her head back against the chair. “Maybe. But I don’t know what to do about it.”

Lauren reached across the table, giving Adrian’s hand a comforting squeeze. “Well, whatever happens, just remember you’ve got me. We’ll figure it out together.”

Adrian smiled, appreciating the gesture. “Thanks, Lauren. And hey, at least neither of us is dating someone like  Jason. I genuinely hate that boy through the pits of my heart.”

Lauren chuckled. “You’re not wrong. But hey, at least she’s in a relationship, right?”

Adrian scoffed, shaking her head. “If that’s what you call a relationship.”

They both laughed, the conversation shifting back to lighthearted banter as they continued to enjoy the warmth of the café, watching the vibrant fall leaves dance outside.

Adrienne settled into the back seat of the cab, the familiar hum of the city vibrating through her as she leaned back. She had just finished lunch with Lauren, a lunch filled with awkward small talk and the inevitable topic of Jim. The conversation played over and over in her mind, and she wasn’t sure if it gave her any more clarity about the situation. Sighing, she gave the driver directions. “Take a left here, please,” she murmured.

The cab weaved through the busy streets of 1980s New York, horns blaring, people rushing by, their faces blurred by the speed of the world. Adrienne stared out the window, lost in thought, replaying her talk with Lauren about Jim, wondering what she should do next.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone walking down the road. Wait—what the— Her heart lurched. The figure crumpled and collapsed directly in front of the cab.

“Stop!” she yelled, lurching forward in her seat.

The driver slammed the brakes, jerking them both forward as the car skidded to a stop just inches away from the person lying motionless on the pavement. “What the hell just happened?” the cab driver barked, his voice shaky as he peered through the windshield.

Adrienne’s pulse raced. "Oh my God," she muttered. "Did we just hit someone? Is he dead?" She scrambled to open the door and ran to the front of the car.

There, lying face-down on the ground, was Pedro—Jim’s friend. “Pedro!” she gasped, rushing to his side. His body was limp, eerily still.

"Shit!" she whispered, trying to remember the CPR lessons she once took. She pressed her hands to his chest, about to start chest compressions, when suddenly, Pedro coughed and jolted upright, wheezing.

“Whoa, whoa! I’m fine, I’m fine!” Pedro choked out, holding his hands up as if surrendering.

Adrienne froze, her hands still on his chest. "What the hell, Pedro?! Are you crazy? You almost got hit by a car!" Her voice was sharp, tinged with relief and fury.

Pedro sat up fully now, brushing off his clothes like nothing happened. “Yeah, well, that’s not important.”

“Not important?!” Adrienne’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You were lying in the middle of the street! What are you doing? Are you mental?”

Pedro waved her off, standing up shakily. “Listen, that doesn’t matter. I need your help.”

Adrienne blinked, still trying to process the absurdity of the situation. “My help? For what? And why are you lying in the middle of the street in the first place?”

Pedro glanced around, his tone suddenly serious. “Someone sent me to find you. They need to talk to you.”

“Someone sent you... to find me? In the middle of the road?” Adrienne repeated, her voice dripping with skepticism. “Who even—wait, was this about Jim?”

Pedro scratched the back of his neck, glancing down the street nervously. “Yeah. He, uh, he wants to apologize.”

Adrienne felt a twist in her chest at the mention of Jim. “Apologize?” she echoed, frowning. Her mind immediately went back to their last fight, the one that spiraled out of control during the Halloween maze. “For what, exactly?”

“For everything,” Pedro replied. “The fight with Connor, the mess at the maze. He’s been a mess since then, too scared to face you. But now he’s ready to talk. He’s been following you, hoping you’d hear him out.”

Adrienne narrowed her eyes. “Following me?”

Pedro winced, realizing how it sounded. “Okay, not like that, but you know—he’s been watching from a distance, waiting for the right moment.”

Adrienne rubbed her temples, feeling the tension build. “This is insane.”

The cab driver leaned out the window, still baffled. “You alright, miss? Is he... alive?”

Adrienne waved him off. “Yeah, he's fine. Apparently, this is normal for him.” She turned to Pedro, her voice a mix of frustration and curiosity. “Why didn’t you just... ask for me instead of collapsing in front of a moving car?”

Pedro shrugged nonchalantly. “I’ve been hit by cars a bunch of times. People usually feel bad for me and give me money. It’s a good hustle.”

Adrienne stared at him in disbelief. “You’re... kidding, right?”

Pedro grinned, clearly proud of his bizarre survival tactic. “Nope.”

Adrienne nodded slowly, her expression shifting from shock to reluctant amusement. “Well, good for you, I guess.”

She turned back to the cab driver, reaching into her purse. “Here, thanks for the ride.” She handed him a handful of cash. “I’ll take the next one. I’m going with him.”

The driver shook his head, still looking bewildered but accepting the money. “Just... try not to get hit by any more cars, okay? I don’t need to get in trouble for almost running over a minor.”

Adrienne laughed dryly. “Yeah, I’ll do my best.”

As she turned to follow Pedro, she couldn’t help but ask one more time. “You sure you’re okay?”

Pedro waved it off again, his casual tone not matching the seriousness of what had just happened. “Like I said, no big deal. This isn’t the first time.”

Adrienne rolled her eyes, half-smiling despite herself. “You’re insane, you know that?”

Pedro shrugged, and they began walking together, the tension of the moment fading into the bustle of the New York streets. As they walked, Adrienne’s mind circled back to Jim. “He really wants to apologize, huh?”

“Yeah,” Pedro nodded, his tone more sincere now. “He’s been a wreck. He’s just too much of a coward to come talk to you himself, but he’s trying. He knows he messed up, and he really wants to make things right.”

Adrienne’s heart softened slightly, though she tried to play it off. “Well, if he’s that desperate, I guess I could hear him out.”

But deep down, she knew it wasn’t just casual indifference. She still cared, no matter how much she pretended not to
₊˚⊹⋆
Inside, the building was quiet, the walls thick enough to block out most of the street noise. As they climbed the stairs to Jim’s apartment, Adrian’s mind raced. Something felt off. Neutron had been acting weird—too eager to push her upstairs.

When they reached Jim’s door, Adrian noticed it was slightly ajar. A bad sign. She knew Jim’s mom wasn’t around—she always locked the door. That meant Jim must’ve left it open. Maybe he had friends over. Maybe he wasn’t expecting her at all.

“Hello?” she called out, stepping into the apartment.

The living room was empty, a few stray items tossed around as if in a hurry. She walked through the kitchen and bathroom, but there was no sign of anyone else. Only Jim’s room remained.

Slowly, she pushed the door open. “Jim?”

Jim sat in the far corner, his back to her. His hand moved swiftly, tucking something into his pocket—pills, she realized. He didn’t seem surprised, but there was a flicker of warmth in his eyes when he saw her. For a moment, Adrian thought he might actually be happy to see her.

But then his expression hardened. “What are you doing here?”

Adrian hesitated, then stepped further into the room. “You wanted to talk, right?”

Jim’s brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

She folded her arms, growing more confused. “You… you wanted to apologize, didn’t you? After what happened...?”

His confusion deepened. “Apologize? For what?”

Adrian blinked, taken aback. “For what you did. After you—how could you not think you owe me an apology?”

Jim’s gaze darkened. “I don’t owe you anything, Adrian.”

Her frustration bubbled to the surface. “Of course you do! You made me look like a complete fool infront of. My friends—”

“I don’t care about your friends!” Jim snapped. “I never fucking liked them, and I don’t need to prove anything to them.”

Adrian shook her head, disbelieving. “Jim, they’re part of my life. You don’t get to just dismiss them.”

“You think I fuckinv  care? I’m not changing shit for them, and I’m sure as hell not going to pretend to like them just because they’re your friends.”

The argument escalated quickly, words flying back and forth as both of them dug deeper into their frustrations. Adrian tried to explain that she didn’t expect him to change who he was but that he could’ve handled things better. Jim, on the other hand, felt like he had been justified in his actions, insisting that he didn’t owe anyone an apology.

“Are you going to apologize or not?” she demanded, growing tired of the back and forth.

Jim looked at her coldly. “No.”

And that’s when it clicked.

“You didn’t ask Neutron and Mickey to come get me, did you?” she asked, her voice quiet but accusatory.

Jim shook his head, realizing too late that the truth was out. “No.”

Adrian turned toward the door, her mind racing. This was all Neutron’s plan—Jim hadn’t even wanted to see her. But before she could make her exit, they both heard the unmistakable sound of the door locking.

From the other side, Mickey’s voice called out. “You two better talk it out or fuck it out—either way, no one’s leaving until you fix this.”

Neutron’s voice followed. “Yeah. You’re stuck in there until you work things out.”

Adrian turns away from the door, her hand brushing through her hair in frustration as she looks back at Jim, who’s already lying on his bed, scribbling away in his notebook like nothing happened.

"They can't be serious right now, can they?" she says, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Jim glances up from his writing. "Oh, yeah, they are," he replies without hesitation.

Adrian groans, rolling her eyes. "Oh my God." The room falls into a heavy silence, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.

Jim shifts, staring at the ceiling. "Look, uh... about the punch," he mutters. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you when I was trying to hit the other Assholes. I didn’t even see you there. I’m really sorry."

Adrian scoffs, her expression hardening. "That’s not what I want an apology for." She crosses her arms, her foot tapping impatiently. "I want you to apologize for making me look like a fucking idiot. I brought you to meet my friends, and instead of just... being normal, you lose it. They already think you're trouble, and you just... made it worse."

Jim sighs, finally sitting up. "Well, maybe you are an idiot for being friends with people like them."

Adrian’s eyes narrow. "Oh god, Jim. You don’t get it. You don’t get what it’s like to actually care about what other people think, to try and make things work between you and them. You just don't care."

"I don’t need to change for anyone," Jim says, his voice rising. "If your friends don’t like me, that’s their problem. I’m not gonna apologize for being who I am. I don’t need their approval, and I don’t need to prove anything to them."

Adrian shakes her head, frustrated. "That’s not the point. I like you, Jim. I see something in you, something good. And I wanted them to see that too. But every time you do something reckless, you make it harder for me to defend you. Do you even care about how that makes me feel?"

Jim stands, pacing the room. "You think I should apologize? They should be apologizing to me for judging me before they even know me."

Adrian exhales, rubbing her temples. "Why are you so angry? This isn’t just about my friends, is it? What’s really going on?"

Jim stops, his back to her, tension radiating from his frame. "It’s not about them," he says quietly. "It’s about what happened. When you told me what Connor tried to do at the party..."

Adrian frowns. "Jim, that’s over. He apologized, and I stopped him before
stopped him before anything happened.”

“That’s not the point!” Jim snapped, his voice rougher now, as though he was barely holding it together. “What if you hadn’t? What if something worse happened? Do you even realize how dangerous that could have been?”

Adrian’s heart skipped a beat, her stomach twisting at the intensity in his voice.

“I’m not saying you did anything wrong,” Jim continued, his voice shaking now, his eyes burning with a mix of fear and anger. “But you don’t get it. You act like