red and green and тнe grey ιn вeтween

KATHERINE ARDELLA HOLLOWAY

Kate, for one, did not understand why the f*ck she should follow the green line. Not for one second. Follow the green line, they always said. Follow the green line and you’ll be happy and successful and get everything you ever wanted. Well, that was bullsh*t, and though she’d suspected that from a young age, it’d definitely been confirmed for her a few dozen times over. After all, being a mechanic in a sh*tty garage with only Ivan the Russian-Speaking Nomad was not exactly her definition of successful. At least she got to be alone. That was kind of nice. And Ivan, bless his ignorant heart, didn’t know who Ivy was. So that was kind of nice too.

But, really. Either the teachers were giving her the silent finger by telling her to follow that godd*mn green line, or life itself was f*cking her over, because even she knew that she could do more than this. And that was saying a lot. She wasn’t particularly good at anything- at least, not enough to be special- but she knew she could do more than fix cars. And, not that she wanted that sort of life, but to have a twin sister who got everything by following the line? She didn’t understand. Not for a second. She could get upset about it, but instead she just brushed it off. Because she was Kate, and nothing got to her. Not now, not when she was little, not ever. She wasn’t upset. She was just pissed.

And she was definitely not jealous.

--- --- ---

IVY ORALEE HOLLOWAY

Ivy, for one, wished she knew how the f*ck to follow the green line. But that was really, really hard when you didn’t have any lines to follow. Even harder when you used to have lines to follow, and they gave you everything you could possibly imagine, but then just up and left one day with no warning. Which apparently didn’t happen, when she hypothetically asked her teachers about it. Which was just peachy. Absolutely f*cking peachy.

And in being herself, Miss Ivy Oralee Holloway- though she always just told people her middle name was Opal, she didn’t need any more stupid oral jokes made about her after that disastrous incident with Michael- she decided she could handle it herself. After all, the green line was just a guide. She herself was the reason she was popular, and loved, and beautiful. Of course. Although that was a whole lot harder than she had anticipated and, when she turned out of bed in the morning and saw, yet again, that the lines were gone, and that it wasn’t just a temporary glitch in her brain or anything… It wasn’t the greatest. She could get upset about it, but instead she just brushed it off. Kind of. To the best of her abilities. Because she was Ivy, and nothing got to her. At least, nothing she didn’t want to get to her. Not now, because she’d learned when she was little, and not ever. She wasn’t upset. She was just pissed.

And of course Kate got the wonderfully simple, straightforward- okay, maybe a little boring life. And she actually knew how to do things, which would be great.

But she was definitely not jealous.

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KATHERINE ARDELLA HOLLOWAY

When Kate felt a buzzing on her *ss, she shot up indignantly, letting out a loud groan when, as a result, she slammed her head against the metal hood of the car she’d been working on. With an embarrassed grumbled, where of course she blamed the car for being in her way, she pulled out her phone, swearing when she saw the text from _____. She was late, and she had a pretty good feeling that he’d leave her at that f*cking garage. After all, she had to pay him to drive her to school, even though he lived right in the area, and it was literally on his way. That she blamed on the school, for not allowing her to take her bike.

With a regretful look at the car- she had really been on a roll, there, of course she got interrupted- she booked it towards the entrance of the sh*tty garage, rolling her eyes when she saw the green line pointing her that way, as if it was any surprise. Although it’s amazing that it still wants me to even go to school, when I clearly have my fabulous life as a mechanic laid out for me already… she thought bitterly, peeling her coveralls off with surprising ease and stuffing them into her backpack, knowing the whole thing smelled like exhaust and grease anyway, before running towards the pickup truck and flashing her best smile at the kid inside. It ended up looking a whole lot more like a grimace than she expected.

“I’m surprised you waited.” she said with a little smile when he rolled the window down because, sure, she hated the garage, but she had fixed that window. And his engine. And his steering wheel, and the AC. Sure, she kind of hated her job, but she was f*cking good at it, and as much as everyone made fun of her for it, they couldn’t fault her results. She was the best in town, and though it was a small consolation, it was something. “You know I’m not paying you more because you did, right?” she added with a huff as she slipped into the passengers seat of the car.

- - -

IVY ORALEE HOLLOWAY

Ivy took a deep breath and looked at herself in the mirror for another long second before plastering a breathless grin across her face and running through the door, launching herself at the boy standing there, ignoring- or maybe sending one spiteful look- over at the girls sitting in the back seat of the car. “_________!” she squealed, pressing her lips to his for a long second, pulling away a moment later and slowly unwinding her legs from where she had wrapped them around his waist.

“I knew you’d come get me when the green line didn’t lead towards the bus this morning…” she murmured, hoping that her lovestruck expression was enough to cover up the fact that she was totally making things up. Because she’d really f*cking wanted to catch that bus, but then Shiba, the cat, had spilled milk all over her outfit as she was trying to make a bowl of cereal- she had no green line to tell her no to carbs, so she wasn’t bothering- and she’d had to change. And she had no f*cking idea of how to get to school, because there was no green line leading the way.

After a long second of thinking, she remembered she was talking to her boyfriend and she giggled, pressing her lips to his again before turning back to the car and giving a little pout. “__________, what are all these girls doing here?” she whined after a second, looking at the fake b*tches in the back who pretended to be her friend, but she knew better. She also didn’t need a green line to tell her that. “I thought this was just going to be you and me?” she finished with a pout as she gently ran her hand down his arm, giving his bicep a little squeeze.

Whatever you want girl! Your choice :) if you can think of any complications you'd want to play, feel free!

“I know. You’ve said that before.” Kate grumbled in her usual grumpy tone, running her fingers over the upholstery in the car for one more long second- she hadn’t done that part of the retouching, but it was beautiful- before turning her attention back to him and scowling slightly. He smiled too much, and it made her uncomfortable. She didn’t know what there was to smile about so often, though she had just dismissed it to the fact that Robbie- she refused to call him anything but- clearly had a much better life than she did. If she had a life like his, there was a good chance she’d be smiling too.

“But I’m not some charity case. I’m not even poor. The green line tells me to work at the garage, and I work at the garage. It’s simple. And you drive me to school, so you get paid.” she explained for pretty much the millionth time, absolutely sticking to her guns on the issue of the payment. He’d tried time and time again to get her to drop it, but she was sure that the second she started relaxing, he’d turn around and prove somehow that she owed him something, and she was not about to have that happen. No, sir, Katherine Ardella Holloway didn’t owe anyone anything.

After adjusting herself in the seat for a few seconds, Kate turned her attention to Robbie, wondering why the h*ll he was still picking her up, though that was one question she refused to voice. He’d hinted that his line lead to her store before, and nobody could argue with line-logic. Plus, she wasn’t exactly in a chatty mood, though clearly he didn’t get the memo on that one. But she nodded and hummed in agreement when she had to, trying not to get too sucked in to whatever nerdy thing he was trying to talk to her about.

Because Katherine Ardella Hollow could be many things, but she refused to have bad manners. Most of the time, at least. So, instead, she just sat in the car, fuming over her stupid line and her stupid job and the way that all the stupid kids at the school mocked her or fixing their cars, still- even after eighteen years- trying to figure out what the f*Ck she had done wrong.

—

“Mm, it’s fine, baby. I think her friends are starting to get the idea that you’re kind of taken…” Ivy purred teasingly when she turned and looked at the car, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder, her other hand shooting a teasing, almost flirtatious, wave over at the girls in the car, taunting them. Because everyone knew that Abe was the hottest piece of *ss that had ever touched their little school- besides herself, of course- and she had him all to herself. So maybe she let her hand run over his chest for a second or two longer, and she definitely pressed her lips to his jaw in something that was nothing more than possessive. But she didn’t have a line to tell her otherwise so, why not.

“And it’s okay, babe. Really. You did the party for me. For my birthday. I think I can handle a little Angie action as punishment…” she murmured, reaching up and kissing him once more at the mention of the party he’d lovingly planned for her, only starting to move towards the car when she finally had her fill. Instead, she just looked at him and grinned, letting her eyebrow raise yp when she heard his next comment, playing at sly, though she was really freaking the f*ck out, because that was a decision, and decisions were a whole lot harder to take when you didn’t have the easy choice set for you.

“I don’t know, babe. My yoga class is Friday nights, you know that…” she pouted as she walked with him to the car, looking her arm around hers and resting her head on his arm, smiling up at him, wishing for just a moment that she could get to know the real ABe. She knew there was something there, she knew that he was a better, more redeemable person than he pretended to be,, but she’d never had the guts to go up and demand that. So instead she just made due with what she had, which was nothing. “You could come with me? Or you could pick me up?” she offered,

ooc: I’m literally so sorry this is so awful i was so tired (its nearly 1:30am here) but I wanted to make sure that ou had this before everyone presses the volume button.

“Don’t call me Katherine.” Kate immediately snapped when she heard her name falling from her lips, not minding it all that much, which surprised her to no end, but the response was instinctual, and there was no reason for her to even try to control it, so she didn’t even bother. After all, it was just Robbie. She hated her name, and she wasn’t about to let anyone call her that, even if it, for some reason, didn’t make her want to vomit when it came from his mouth. “It’s Kate. And only Kate.” she added, the tiniest bit of guilt in her grumble, feeling bad that she had snapped at him seconds earlier.

Once they got to the school, she ave a yawn and lifted her head up from where it rested against the window, quickly handing over the forty bucks she gave him a month for the rides- after all, October had just begun- and nodded when she heard his comment, frowning at the stiff smile. Robbie was many things- annoying, perky, and overly-affectionate- but stiff was not one of them. And she opened her mouth to ask, but then he was walking away, and she frowned, though she knew it was for the best. Asking would only open conversation, and the last thing she needed was conversation with one Robert Morris. Conversation led to mockery, and she’d had quite enough of that already.

When he was a safe distance away, Kate broke into a tiny little smile, though she quickly killed it when she realized what she was doing, and slipped into the crowd, about to walk off before remembering that she had to be at the garage earlier than usual that afternoon, which resulted in her swearing under her breath. She looked around quickly, making sure that nobody was paying any attention to her- they weren't, not that anyone ever did- before running after Robbie, catching his arm and turning him around quickly, her eyes peering into his. "I, uh... I have to be back at the garage after school today?" she offered after a second, groaning when she saw the look in his eyes. Of course he'd want more information than that. The nosy b*tch. "There's this beautiful Corvette that I'm rebuilding, and the owner's coming in today, so I want to get some last minute work in before she does. I'll pay you extra?" she offered, hating that she couldn't drive herself to and from school. God forbid she have any independence at all.

—

Ivy relaxed the moment that Abe confirmed her decision, a long breath escaping her that she hadn’t even known she’d been holding, because someone with a green line was confirming her decision, and that meant that it couldn’t be all that bad, right? So she relaxed against him, more in relief than in attraction, though it all was the same thing to him, so it couldn’t have mattered less, and she pressed her lips against his shirt slowly, giving a little jump when she felt his hand grabbing her *ss, though she wasn’t exactly complaining.

“That sounds perfect, baby.” she purred, completely aware of all the young girls in the back of the car, not minding one bit that they were watching the little show that she and Abe were putting on. Maybe that would help them get it through their stupid little heads that he was absolutely, one hundred percent taken. Even when they were on one of thier brief ‘off’ stints, he was taken.

“I’ll tell Mom that I’m sleeping over with the girls, and I’ll make sure to pack something really slutty. You know, to rub it in your mom’s face that I’m still around. And for no reason other than that.” she finished, though it was with a smug little smirk at the end, a look she had perfected. Because, on the inside, the thought of s*x terrified her, terrified her to no end, especially since she had no green line telling her that, yes, it was the right decision. But Abe didn’t know that, and the whole school didn’t know that. And if they thought she was a slut? Well, that was only better in the long run, anyway.

Kate frowned slightly when she felt him moving away because, again, Robbie was being weird. Like, unfriendly weird. Not that she cared at all, but it was concerning. She wondered for a brief moment if he was even okay before realizing that she was caring about someone and quickly shutting her thoughts down, ignoring the conscience inside of her like always. If he wanted to be unfriendly, great. That’d just be another person to join her sad little club of one.

When she heard his words- which somehow sort of sounded like a depressed snap- her eyes widened, though she just nodded and let go of his arm as he pulled away form her, trying not to feel too hurt. She knew her hands were gross, but Robbie of all people never had seemed to care about that. It was only fair, though- her hands really were a mess. Grease all over them and all. Instead, she just looked up at him and nodded, whispering a soft, almost apologetic “Okay” a moment later.

By the time she had finished speaking, though, he was already walking off, and she was just left watching him go, trying not to feel upset. She knew she didn’t have any friends- the only person who wanted to be counted was Ivan, and she definitely wasn’t counting him- but she’d always thought she and Robbie were something. Not friends, not acquaintances, but something. But she refused to dwell on that too, just like she refused to dwell on how lonely she was, how much she hated everything, and instead just turned around and moved to her first class, already feeling the usual clothes of sleep surrounding her.

—

Ivy curtsied playfully and slipped into the car, shooting another glare at Angie and her stupid friends over her shoulder, only taking consolation in the fact that they were sitting exactly where she and Abe had totally made out. And half naked, at that. Take that, home wrecking sl*ts… she thought with a little snort, knowing that her accusations were a little aggressive, but she wasn’t exactly in the best mood that morning. Maybe it had something to do with having absolutely no direction to her life.

Yeah! You start :) I'll respond when I can! Start whenever, I'll just play it

Kate raised na eyebrow when she saw Robbie waving, looking around quickly to confirm that he wasn’t, in fact, waving at any of the cute girls who were trying to get his attention. But, no, he was waving at her, and when she realized that, her pathetic shuffle toward the car turned into a purposeful strut, and the moment she got over to him, she grabbed his hand from the air and lowered it to his side, glaring at him. “What the f*ck do you think you’re doing?” she hissed, though she clearly wasn’t angry, as much as she wished she could be. No, instead her face was bright red, and she looked at the ground, embarrassed beyond belief.

“Stop that. Stop doing… That. Just… Ugh.” she grumbled after a second, quickly looking around, feeling as if the whole world was watching as she slipped into the car, trying not to die inside, though that was pretty d*mn hard. Only when the doors to the car were actually shut did she turn and look at him, her glare mostly gone, though the burning red of her blush was still loud and proud across her face, to the point where she was convinced that it would never go away.

She was just about to chew him out for being such a moron- again- before she heard his soft question, his gentle nerves, and she paused, looking at him for a second before sitting back in her seat and nodding. “Yeah, of course.” she murmured softly, leanign back against the cushion of the couch before smiling, because as much as she hated the stereotype, she loved her little garage. “And it’ll be pretty quiet in there today. I think I’m alone. Maybe Ivan will show up, but he works all alone, anyway…” he mused before remembering who she was talking to and blushing bright red. “Not that you care.”

—

“Yes, sweetheart. What did you expect? I told you that this was my exercise for the week, besides the pilates on Tuesday and Thursday. Of course it’s long…” Ivy called from inside the bathroom, turning around slowly to look at herself in the mirror, a smirk across her face as she admired herself. The outfit was cute as all h*ll, and she loved it for that, though the best part was that it was still a good outfit. She could still move in it, and nobody who got there would think that she was a faker. She absolutely hated when that happened. F*ckers….

And with that anger still on her mind, she stormed out of the bathroom, though it immediately disappeared when she was caught by his arms, a little squeak escaping her before she latched her arms around his neck and hung on as he swung her around. “Abe!” she called, squealing until he put her down, giggling when he finally did. “Oh my god, Abe! I’m going to KILL you! My hair was so perfect….” she protested, though she was looking up at him with adoration in her eyes. It was moments like this that reminded her why she liked him so much.

She kissed him back, of course, when he swept her up in a hold a few seconds later, her hands resting against his t-shirt, though she snorted when he pulled away and she shook her head. “You’re a moron.” she announced, though she took his hand and dragged him towards the car, ready to go and show off her hot boyfriend to all the judgmental moms and college girls who were in the class with her. Maybe that’d make their thirsty-*ss days just a little bit worse, and then it would be all worth it.

“It’s fine.” Kate quickly dismissed when she heard his words, reaching down to her feet and scooping up the battered bag that she loved so much, swinging it on to her shoulder as she slipped out of the car, gingerly shutting the door once she’d finished, because, f*ck, she loved the car, but she did not want to work on it again. “I know my way around this place better than my own house. You couldn’t get in the way if you tried.” she murmured teasingly, already seeming so much more relaxed, so much happier, now that she was back in her place. Sure, she hated it a little bit, but that was only because it had been forced on her. The rest of her body constantly yearned to be there. Maybe that’s why the green line always led her back.

“So…” she muttered before reaching down and unlocking the garage door, pushing the massive sheet of metal back a few seconds later with a little grunt, exposing the entire- empty- garage to him with an even wider smile. That would be twice the amount of smiling that she’d ever done before in his presence, and she couldn’t help it. It just felt natural, having him here. “That’s the car I’m working on now. That’s Doctor Penwells-“ she said, pointing to a beaten up minivan- “and those three cars are mine too. Ivan’s working on the bikes in the corner.” she said, spotting her motorcycle in a flash, biting her lip to keep from smiling too wide, though she managed to keep that announcement inside.

“Here.” she muttered after another long moment, ignoring the way he was just standing there and gaping around, shoving him instead towards the office, grabbing her coveralls from the wall as she did. “This would be the best lace to work. If it gets too loud, just shut the door or something. I don’t want to have to babysit you. But I’ll be out there if anything happens. Okay?” she asked, standing at the edge of the doorway, suddenly wondering if maybe this was a really bad idea.