instant gratification.

Even despite her annulment, she still believed that someone better was out there for her. And as much as she didn’t want to think about it – as much as she wanted to wish badness upon him, she didn’t have it in her heart to do so. Olivia just hoped that Jeremy would find someone of his own, and be true to her unlike he was to her. A part of her always wondered what it would have been like if Olivia made different decisions in her life. What would have happened if she listened to her father for once and chose Noah, if she saw him more than a friend at the time, would she have been happier than she was now? It seemed like nothing more than wishful thinking at this point. She brushed off her thoughts away when his words came ringing through her ears – even through her own train of thoughts, she still managed to catch every single word he said and paid attention to it all. “Next weekend works for me – whatever would work for me to be honest, I’d clear my entire schedule for you.” she commented casually, giving his hand a small squeeze before retracting it. The smallest of gestures was enough to send Olivia’s emotions flying. Olivia replied with a smile, not really sure what the right response to that was. They were childhood best friends, of course he was going to always take care of her – he did it all the years they grew up, there would be no stopping now and she knew that she’d always be there for him just as much as he was for her. “Angry.” she responded, a light humourless chuckle dripping from her lips. Jeremy and her failed marriage seemed like old news at this point, and she needed to move on, but what better way than to properly express her emotions than through her upcoming album. Her siblings always said that she produced the best songs when she was going through something, which is why Olivia was trying to take full advantage of the time she had in the studio. “I know, I know. I’m just… I’m just psyching myself out too much. I know I’ll get it done, I just need to focus.” she said, nibbling on her bottom lip. “Thank you though, for always believing in me.” Olivia added through a tightlipped smile before diverting her attention back towards the food – neatly placing a set of cutlery on his side of the table and some napkins. The musician took her phone and slid it in the back pocket of her jeans after running her hues through it, making sure she had no important messages. Her brows etched together as she tried to make of what face her best friend returned with. “What are you smiling about?” she asked, though not being able to help but to mirror it herself.

continuation for : @candicerking1x1

Serena didn’t use to be the kind of woman she was today. There was once a young and naive girl that fell in love with the idea of love, fell head over heels for the words her boyfriends used to say to her. In return for that, she had her heartbroken multiple times, and it resulted in her mother’s passing before she knew enough was enough, and she had to flee from the city of Atlanta. She found solace in her year of travelling, being uncommitted and doing whatever she wanted at her own pace. It was a freeing feeling and she didn’t ever want to let that go, not even when her lost journal landed her a scholarship at Columbia, and not even when she thought she met the love of her life. The idea of being bounded to one man for life was enough to scare her away and leave the man at the altar. But then, she found another solace in writing. Pouring her heart out into a book full of stories from her life, weaving into with fictional names and turning it into a story. One that many people found interested and grew attached to those characters. It made her heart warm to see so many readers resonated with her characters, her side of the stories over the others. The brunette never had many close friends in New York City, and she began to grow restless after the publicity of her book died out, at the same time finding herself hitting the writer’s block. Wesley Dunn came crashing into her life and ignited a sense of excited that never existed before. Sure, he drove her insane, he knew exactly what to say to her to bring a reaction out of her. Perhaps it was why those nights spent beneath the sheets was one of the most passionate and intense moments she had ever experienced. Slowly but surely, she knew this was different to all the relationships she had before. But still, she was terrified. Hesitant to give her heart someone else all for another person to trample all over it again. So the day when she decided not to show up of his parents’ place, her hand itched to write again. Just to dull out the ache in her heart a little, more and more as the pages grew, before those pages formed a novel. One that was full of the years from her last book until now, even containing all the secrets that he bared his soul to her. His words stung. Serena knew she deserved it for her actions and even more so for her book, if he had even read it. Although all the names were fictional, the stories were real. Anyone who were part of her story could easily recognise themselves in it, but luckily most of them never would even pay attention to her novels anyway. If she knew Wesley as much as she remembered, then she didn’t want him to get the upper hand. She wasn’t going to cower in front of everyone and allow tears to be shed before him. She wouldn’t allow that satisfaction for anyone anymore. If she knew better, she should be apologising, but instead, she had to just pour fuel to the fire, like she did with everything in her paths nowadays. “Wow,” She scoffed at him, shaking her head at his comment. “Petty isn’t a great look on you, Wesley. I’d stick to your three piece suits if I were you.” Chocolate hues bored into his gaze, before breaking it and gave him the once-over. “Always the one to show up at these fancy events, aren’t you? I should’ve known you’d turn up. Are you here to gloat about another case of yours, or do you actually care about the cause for this event tonight?” 

Wesley wasn’t the type of man to bring up the constant failures and unexpected obstacles life had thrown at him. Parents were supposed to protect you from those endeavors. Or, at least they were supposed to. All of the burdens of his father’s choices took a toll on him. Believe it or not, men had trust issues as well. They were rarely advertised or even shown in the glimpse of current television series or movies, it existed within Wesley. There were flings. There had been attempted relationships on his behalf but things always fell flat. Not once had an idea of ever cheating crossed his mind like it danced heavily through his father’s. Mostly because he knew of the heartache he experienced and how it changed him into this stern, corporate, workaholic of a lawyer, who proudly knew and flashed his possessions because he worked forcefully for them all. It was Serena Prescott who took his world by sudden surprise. Both parties knew how to work with each other buttons. It was one of the things that attracted him to her. Time passed on and as he spent more time with her, the arose of emotions for her overtook. At this point, it was beyond his control and he fell helplessly in love with a woman who knew everything. All of the darkness of his past. All of the insecurities he shared at the end of an eve. The same woman who shared his life in her Best Selling book in the New York Times. Even if people weren’t aware of the truth, a vast majority, those near to him including his mother and father knew their private family secret had become a paycheck to a young author.  If two could play this game, Wesley knew how to stoop down to this level. Seeing as he had mostly used it whilst in court, the treatment in seeing the familiar beauty caused him to act like he was about to make the fattest paycheck in history. “Sweetheart, I will gladly stick to my three-piece suits but at least, I have the decency to ruin someone’s life with my own name instead of being a coward and... ah, yes, writing an anonymous book.” An instant snap, the brawny voice of his which always came off charming was instead peeved by her presence. He could easily shoot his shot. Unaware of whether his comment would affect her, at least he owned up to his mistakes unlike the brunette beside him. The love, he still endured for her, couldn’t disappear. It isn’t as easy as it’s made out to be. This would be a confession he would never share or dare to tell a soul. If he needed to come off as a conceited, Ivy League asshole, who has way too much money in his checking account, by all means, tonight was the night for it. Her words caused him to chuckle, now handling a crystal flute filled with a 1996 Dom Perignon Rose Gold Methuselah. “You clearly forgot that I do own parts of this city. I did save half of these individuals asses when life came crashing on them. If it wasn’t for me, there wouldn’t be a fancy event tonight, Serena.” A quick glance over caused his baby blue hues to take her in. Even though she was stunning as ever, a compliment wouldn’t be heard from him.

@candicerking1x1​

It was true: he did know her – or, at least, he thought he did. Though his old wounds had started to scab over – and he’d been trying his best not to pick at them – her company still triggered phantom pains. Like a healed fracture, they ached to warn him that a storm was coming. But Louise had been gentle with him. She had never pushed him to give her more than he was able to. Even if her kindness was motivated by some sort of hope, she had never voiced it – never asked him to give her the absolution he knew she must have wanted. He’d never thanked her for that, though maybe he should. After all her running, she’d been able to recognize the same urge in him and help keep his feet on the ground. That had never been much of a challenge for her, though. She may no longer have been his Louise, but even now, she could still him with one look.

The spot where her fingertips had brushed against his palm still itched after she drew away. It teased him for clinging to the ghost of a moment while his pride hung by a sheer thread. Yet his pulse danced, anyway, as he eyed the ratty ball in her grasp. Like Duke, whose excited bucking and prancing continued to fling sand across the tops of their shoes, Frankie was impatient to watch it soar. Throw it far, he plead. But the mirth in her voice drew him back into their banter. “You know, I almost forgot just how dramatic you are,” he quipped, drawing his lips into a sarcastic smile. “Better take it easy. The hospital’s your only bet at this hour.” 

Contrary to her claims, Louise had great aim. By the time Duke began torpedoing along the shore after the tennis ball, it had already become a speck among the shadows. Frankie knew better than to waste any of the time she’d bought them. “Good with me,” he agreed and nodded toward the lifeguard tower. A soft breeze threaded through his hair as they padded along the shore. “I thought about trying the whole lifeguard thing out once, but it was way too much pressure – the whole dragging someone out of the water, pumping their stomach thing…it’s got to get old.” He risked a glance at her expression, hoping to find…laughter? Approval? He shouldn’t have craved either, but there he was: hungry for whatever she’d give him. 

The realization caused him to lose his appetite.

The darkness grew thicker within the shadows cast by the lifeguard tower. Frankie could hardly make out the wooden steps without the help of the railing, but he didn’t mind. It was easier to breathe beside her clothed in an extra layer of dusk. It stole the color from his cheeks, painting them cool and grey as the smooth stones scattered along the shore. “You know, they really weren’t kidding about the weather here,” he said, breaking his silence. “Back home, it’s more like ‘cloudy with a chance of murder’, but…this is nice. I could almost put up with a One Direction hit right now with this breeze coming in.” On second thought, he realized, that had been a dangerous joke to make. He shot his palm up between them, making sure she could see. “I said almost – don’t get any ideas, Lockwood.”

The tenderness of being around Frankie once again brought an intensive ping in the center of her petite, fragile breathing chest. It was love. The love which never disappeared from him like with others. As he was a constant reminder of the one true love she had stupidly lost by a wave of insecurities overtaking her. Louise knew all of this. The love she held for him, even long after her disappearance on the mid-afternoon of their glistening pale pink and hints of white touches of a fairytale glossing among them and their beloved ones. A reception that was to-die-for, one taken out of a celebrity wedding plannings portfolio, extravagant but superbly dosed with touches of them amongst the rented out local country club, patiently awaiting the newly pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Locke, never saw a day to witness the young and madly in love couple to share with the entire world their first dance. Those words laced with a delicacy of subtle hints of her love for him along with even an ounce of confirmation if anything was still possible between the once engaged couple. Never pushing for a sign. Only patiently waiting to see what he found within himself and his feelings for her, if he had any, as Louise hoped for the latter luck. Hoping and praying of a possibility of them but simply on his accords. Just as long Louise could be with him. 

One minor movement at a time, Louise thought to herself after letting her fingertips grazing his skin - once familiar underneath her touch as they roamed over him every morning while they were together. Perfectly aware of how hunger would overtake and minor touches could only last for the time being. Thump, after thump, aware of Frankie not having a super hearing but if only he could hear the racing sensation of her heart singing love songs due to his appearance once again in her life. Allowing these emotions to play whilst focusing on distracting Duke with the former possession of the ball which seconds ago was held in her captivity. Arm still intact. Not recalling hearing any popping sensation due to the vigorous activity. All meant well because she was able to spend these moments without Duke pleading his parents’ for attention. “I’m kind of... heartbroken over this? How could you forget? No one could compare to me in Westbrook. If I didn’t own my shop, I would’ve been an incredible actress,” she wisecracked, shooting him a wink in a light manner. Cheery mouth corners raised toward the infinite, soon growing night sky amongst them, “I’ll try not to be a fool. Heaven knows I can only embarrass you so much.” 

From a young age, Louise hated sports. She tried softball, too mild of temperature climate and too physical to her liking, caused the blonde to retire after a season. The practices helped her in regards to Duke in this current situation. Even if she didn’t have brief softball practice experience, if it meant she was able to spend time with Frankie, she would’ve risked her arm for the man beside her. The Californian breeze danced through her soft, lengthy platinum blonde locks. The destination toward the lifeguard station was near. The companion beside her further allowed her heartbeat to thump in a moment to themselves. His words sang angelically in her ears as celeste hues admired his comedic invoice. Soon, she drowned the moment after his words in a bellyache as her eye corners began to crease in enjoyment. “Shut up,” friskily huffing through a guffawing breath, lightly nudging him with her left elbow. “So, if I were to be in that situation, hypothetically speaking, and you were a lifeguard, would you save me?”  

Would he save her in a hypothetical situation? Does he still care about her? A cunning insert of her preceding question was needed for a declaration for her sanity that she wasn’t dreaming of them becoming more in the future. Petite rear resting against the seasoned, decolorized wooden lifeguard booth. Memorized by the Californian cotton candy sunset along with the crisp temperature settling on her light-toned skin. “Right. It’s too perfect here,” she noted, memorized. “One day, we’ll have to thank Alexis Hawthrone for doing us a solid here.” Although the moment One Direction was brought up, exhilaration overtook her as Louise sat there like a spotlight, beside her lover midst the mentions of her beloved boy band. “Hey!” The palm of her hand slightly nudging his clothed shoulder, snickering to herself. “That’s not fair. Don’t give me false hopes.” Coquettish tone arose, admiring him underneath the California cotton candy sunset. “Maybe this exact lifeguard stand is where they filmed their What Makes You Beautiful music video?”

Only including that slight mention to cause a reaction out of him. One to please her and one to make her giggle like a child echoing amidst getting tickled attacked. “I’m joking. I already went to where they filmed it. So, I’ll save you the agony,” words trailing through saccharine tone, delicate ocean hues starring into the beauty of his soul. “So,” an immediate pause, fragile hands collapsing together. Small efforts. All of the efforts of spending more time with Franklin Michael Locke was well into plan. “When am I going to see you sing again?”

@candicerking1x1.

It had only been a month since Killian had been out of Oregon and already, the city already felt like a completely different world to him. Killian had been used to change, but not to big cities. Out of all the small towns or cities he could’ve chosen from, he decided to make the city of Angels his brand new home. Unlike the past, he used to like being able to hear himself think but as of late — and thanks to the constant rush of Los Angeles — Killian preferred it this way. The past three years and one month had been far from easy for him, so much so that he might as well have been dead. The family and friends that he left behind is what seemed to plague his mind every day ever since he made them believe that he was six feet under. The emotions of guilt, grief and shame coursed through his entire being and it was also one of the biggest things that was stopping him from reaching out. Killian often found himself clutching onto a payphone with either Sierra or Morgan and if it wasn’t them, it was Lily on the other line. He’d be greeted with a simple ‘hello’ through the phone and that in itself was enough for him. Killian barely even had the courage to hang up first. Just being able to hear their voices, knowing that they were okay, gave him some sort of comfort for that’s all he ever wanted for them — happiness, even if he was no longer a part of that. He knew he took that away from them the second he made his decision to leave, but there was never a moment where he regretted it. Killian spent most of his days cooped up at home, dropping by the local diner for dinner since his apartment barely looked like a home just yet. Even though he was a month into living there, he thought he could get away with it since he was the only one that lived there. Though today was different, he made sure to get out of the house and purchase some groceries, having full intent to cook dinner at home tonight. Too plagued with the thoughts of the past in his mind, he almost didn’t realise he had bumped into something or someone. Due to the cold climate, even in Los Angeles, he had his hoodie covering his head, almost making his face unnoticeable. It also didn’t help that they had their back turned — Killian would’ve ignored it and continued walking himself, but it was as if something was forcing him to stop. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see where I was going.” he started, throwing them an apologetic smile. He barely looked up but it wasn’t until he pushed his hoodie back and lifted his head to get a good look at just who he bumped into to. The last time Killian felt such an overwhelming amount of emotions was when he found out about all the friends he lost in the military. Though truth be told, he would prefer to receive that news over whatever it was he was feeling right now staring into the one person he thought he’d never see again. Killian felt his heart stuck in his throat, the words not being able to process into a coherent sentence while he just stood there and looked at her, frozen. “Lily?”

Over the past year, enduring the whole living out of her boxes lifestyle with her girls, Iris and Ivy, after this past weekend changed all of their past habits. Having instantly being thrown into the competitive remodeling market kept Lily on her tippy toes. Los Angeles was full of hunger and ways to out-do one another. Tripp and Christina from Flip or Flop were one of those competitions. As one project completed, she was instead of picking up another house to remodel to keep the constant cash flow coming in. Meanwhile, everything quickly piled up after the unexpected move from Westbrook to Los Angeles entered into Lily’s life and became a new chapter for a newly single mother. One of the main reasons why she moved away was to be with Sierra. The sister of the one man Lily had expected a grand future within their quaint hometown of Westbrook, which was now in catastrophe after unpredicted weather storm. Waiting for her past life to be rebuilt would take years. The moment Lily heard Sierra suggesting to move to Los Angeles, where the youngest Moretti formerly resided before returning back to Westbrook, it seemed like the only answer to this situation. One thing lead to another as much of her former life in Westbrook remained in boxes. Now since she made progress, finally as if things were in order with her life, her entire focus wasn’t a constant groaning as she walked past those cardboard boxes in agony and dread over her putting them off. It was all thanks to Sierra, who was as well finally making progress with herself, after the only thing she allowed herself to feel human was by consuming bottle after bottle of alcohol. If Killian was here now, he would’ve been proud of his younger sister. He would’ve stood right beside her. Even though he was no longer with them, which still ached Lily’s heart and often made her cry when a wave of loneliness took over her, she could never love anyone as much as she loved him. With a past marriage behind her, clear as day it didn’t work out, there was solitude in the terms of where her life was going and if it just meant the twins and herself then so be it. A rather nipply day clung amongst the bodies in Los Angeles as thick coats occupied everyone’s frame. Sunshine shining down on them, there were penetrating days in the wanderlust of California’s temperatures. In her typical business manner, phone in hand as she scrolled through the excess amount of emails piling up, anyone around her became background noise at this moment. The brunette didn’t need to be anywhere in particular. Surprisingly, she had a day free of work-related nonsense. No point of appearing at her current home being remodeled. It was considered a self-care day. Although, she did the only thing she wanted to avoid and that was scrolling through her emails. A horrid force of habit. It was in that meantime when Lily had bumped into someone. Dead in her tracks as her immediate grip around her iPhone tightened. A little force of traction causing a few steps to be taken back but nothing more than that. No scratches nor falling to the ground. “Don’t worry,” she was immediate to interjected, shaking her chocolate locks in reassurance. Everyone had those days, right? Running into someone? Surely, it wouldn’t be the last day for her. Yet, the next moments instantly caused her hues which remained low on the concrete underneath her boots, a voice which soothed her nights rang in her ear. Emerald hues tugging to the figure in front of her, realizing the only man she loved who was buried six feet under was standing in front of her as if the funeral didn’t instantly replay her mind, “Stop,” she took a step back, gasping wondering if this was a state of unconsciousness. That he wasn’t really standing in front of her. Yet, her hand touched his forearm, feeling as the electricity of her fingertips touched the clothed hoodie forearm. “This.. isn’t a dream... you’re really alive.” A delicate whisper, emerald hues growing glossy from tears being held back. “Killian... tell me this isn’t a dream.”

“Sounds good to me,” The brunette nodded. “Five? Wow, how time flies,” It only made the guilt worse to realise how much time had passed between them since they last saw each other. It really had been that long since she had even seen him before her move back home. At Isaac’s comment about their past, she couldn’t help but smile at the memory, although feeling awkward instantly at how everything changed since their childhood until now. “Well, I’m sure your family is thrilled to have you back. They…always talk about wanting to have you back in Napa anyway. I’m just sorry it had to be under these circumstances.” It didn’t matter how she felt about Isaac being back because that wasn’t relevant anymore. She couldn’t even pinpoint where the two of them stood and she didn’t want to ask. Although she was happy for him to be near his family again. Besides her parents, the Abbott’s also taught her what the word family meant to her. There wasn’t a stronger bond than the one that family had within their villa. In this moment after she brought up her engagement, all Sophie was felt was numbness. If it wasn’t for Theo’s constant tugs on his leash, then she would hardly be aware that she was still standing in the middle of the Farmers Market. Immediate regret hit her as soon as those words left her lips, but if Isaac really meant the world to her, then it was only fair to deliver the news herself. It was bad enough that it took her this long before announcing her engagement to someone that she once couldn’t keep a single secret around, except for the one where she had been in love with him practically her whole life. Enough was enough, she had told herself. She didn’t need this one sided feeling towards her once best friend keep from really living her life any longer. But it didn’t feel right for him to find out from someone else either, even if a few people in her hometown knew of this already. After all, she was one that left so much unsaid and refused to address their last night together, so maybe this would provide her with some form a closure. That she shouldn’t be pining over someone that didn’t feel the same way for her. Perhaps she should’ve dealt with her feelings for him better than she did, but she couldn’t change the past now. But as she stared at him in silence, trying hard to analyse his expression as he seemed to take in the news, she couldn’t help but feel conflicted in this moment. Something was running through his mind, she knew that much. But there used to be a time where she would naturally call him out to speak his mind. She couldn’t do that now, they were stuck in this limbo that neither of them seemed to be able to break from, unable to address the elephant in the room. She wondered for a moment if he had found someone else too. It was something that often crossed her mind when she first moved back to Napa Valley, although of course she was too scared ask any members of the Abbott clan in regards to that matter. It was none of her business anymore. This fact always formed a dull ache whenever she realised she wouldn’t be as close to Isaac as they used to be. The two children that grew up alongside each other, played out their dream wedding as children, until the brunette realised she wanted that to come true. She had always told him that anyone that he fell in love with, that those women were lucky to find a man like him in their lives. That was the way she always felt about the man standing before her. Even when he didn’t see her in the same way, she should be grateful for the friendship she had with him. But it grew unbearable pretending to be happy for Isaac, when all she wanted to do was to muster up the courage to confess her love to him. 

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise when Sophie met Liam despite her initial reluctance to go on a date with one of her patient’s owners. She was glad that he gave her that push to finally move on from an unrequited love that lasted for longer than anyone could imagine. No one, not even her parents knew of this, and especially not for anyone in the Abbott family. Those people were practically her family to her, but they were also Isaac’s actual family too. Not that she didn’t trust them, but the chances of her secret being exposed to him were likelier if she revealed the truth to them. She just couldn’t face rejection from the one person she trusted the most and made things awkward between them in the process. But with all things considered, that wouldn’t be so bad anymore compared to the situation she found herself in right now. Lips pressed into a thin line, it frustrated her that she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Of course, she didn’t expect him to pull her into a hug, but anything was better than this deafening silence. Maybe this was truly the end of their friendship, and the thought of it merely amplified that ache in her heart. The brunette finally let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding when Isaac spoke up again, before nodding lightly at his words. “Thank you,” She forced a small smile to form on her lips, although anyone could tell it wasn’t so convincing. She could say the same for Isaac’s words, but it really wasn’t in her place to comment on it anymore. “His name is Liam…I—uh, maybe you’ll get to meet him eventually.” Although she really hoped that would never happen, considering she never talked about that night she spent with her former best friend to her fiancé. The possibility of the two men meeting made her stomach turn as the thought crossed her mind. “Thank you, Isaac. It really means a lot. I hope…I hope you’re happy too,” She started, deciding suddenly not to address his latter comment. “The same for you…I hope your dad recovers soon and you deserve great things too. Both you and Carson. I hope you can find that from being back at home.”

“Yeah, it sure does,” he mumbled, uncomfortably. Reflecting on the memories of how Carson was so attached to Sophie and wouldn’t dare to let her go at the end of the evening. It was clear as day his son had grown an attachment to Sophie, just like Isaac had with his former best friends. Time passed on too quickly. Part of him felt still unsuccessful in planting steadiness in his life. Perhaps, he was never destined for external permanent happiness. Brief moments, encounters, were the things that brought him joy until they left him all over again. “Mom would always talk my ear off on Sunday mornings when Carson and I called her. It was bound to happen sooner or later... you know, moving back and focusing on the reality of things. It’s okay.” Falling into the silence, it engulfed him as he struggled for a few moments, wanting to find the right words to express the difficulty of the situation enduring the Abbott Family currently. “No one wants to hear about their parents getting sick. But, dad was getting older and I made a promise with him. If anything happened, I was back and shifting my priorities.” It was no secret over how Goldie and Phoenix supported each one of their kids. No matter the endeavor, they stood beside them and preached about going ahead in the moment to reach forward to grab it. Isaac knew the day would eventually come when the reigns of the Winery would’ve been handed over to him. Being the only and the eldest child of the Abbott’s, it only felt right to keep it within the generations of the family. Plus, his sisters, all big dreamers and successful as the next, they deserved to live each dream out to the fullest. He experienced his. It was time to place the priorities where they needed to be. Yet, things always took an unexpected turn for Isaac. The moment when he figured things were making sense and he was handling the worst-case scenario, Sophie surprised him. God, he must’ve looked like a fool standing there, allowing the process of the news of her engagement hit him right in the chest. It had been years for them. Not a single attempt after the first couple of months of not hearing from Sophie. Yet, when you realize you have been in love with the wrong person, Becca, and the person you were meant to be with was standing in front of you, the feeling couldn’t bear to go away. It’s what hit him the most. He had always been the type of man to allow his emotions to be shown. Now, sadly, the way he allowed himself to express how he felt, he needed to false everything around Sophie. It wasn’t about him anymore. It wasn’t about them anymore. There hadn’t been them in the equation for years. Sophie allowed him to believe the worse about them. It’s what hurt him the most but eventually, just eventually, he’d have to deal with those emotions and let them go. She had finally found someone. Part of him wishes he was still her best friend and could interrogate him, allow the jealousy to flow over him, but he had to trust her judgment. If she was happy, he was happy. It was just how the situation needed to go. The one thing he respected about Sophie was she told him. Not some random person in passing him, who knew his name and his face briefly. That would’ve been an ultimate smack in the face. It would’ve fueled him with the whopping combination of sadness, agony, and anger in mixed in one. Every part of him at this moment was relived Sophie couldn’t read him, know what was steadily running through his mind. No idea where both of them could go from here on. The news of the wedding would overtake Napa Valley. Everyone would be preparing for the celebration of two souls coming together and being in love. Something, he’d had to sit in the audience with Carson and endure a sight of Sophie getting married to another man. The shot of them existing, being something, was fading by the seconds. 

The relationship that Noah had with her father meant to her more than people would understand. The two most important men in her life, getting along and sharing a genuine bond between one another filled her entire heart. The more she thought about it, the more she realised just how absent Jeremy had been in her life and particularly, the relationships she had with people outside of him. Olivia always felt like she had to choose between her marriage or her friends and family, and it never occurred to her at the time, but she still continued to follow him blindly everywhere. The musician didn’t make a lot of sane decisions — she knew that much — but getting married at the ripe age of eighteen to a high school boyfriend that she had been with for only a year hit the very top of that long list. Why she was figuring all of this out now, was beyond her, but as her father always once said — it’s always better late than never. That saying had much more meaning to her now. Truth be told, Olivia felt more relief than sadness coming out of this marriage. Not at first, but as he weeks continued on without him in her life, the more she realised that she was going to be fine. It was as if a heavy weight that she had been carrying over the years had finally been lifted off of her chest and she could finally breathe again. Maybe that said more about her feelings towards her ex-husband than his infidelity, but no matter how absent her feelings might’ve been towards him, she never dared to break a person the way he did to her. Not only did she lose her husband that night, but also someone she considered a life long friend, one that she shared with Cadence. Though when she looked at the blonde in front of her, she felt warmth and she felt safe. The kind of affect that he had on her, but with the mixed emotions running in her mind right now, it seemed to have a different meaning than just someone she saw as her best friend. Unlike the other years before. Her father speaking so fondly of him made sense to her, and felt like that also had a double meaning behind it. Another thing that he might have been correct about. As much as she hated the saying, maybe parents always knew best. At least Erwin Meisner did, she knew that much. Though the last thing that Olivia wanted to do was ruin the last good relationship she had with anyone, especially Noah. So as much as her own feelings confused her, and no matter how loud her fathers words were ringing in her mind, she pushed her feelings aside for now — deciding that she’d talk about it when the time was right. She would rather have Noah as a friend than him not being in her life at all, even if it meant that she had to bury her emotions.

“Always,” she replied absentmindedly as if it was the most natural thing for her to say. “Especially when you come and surprise me with our favourite food, how could I not?” she chuckled, looking up at him to steal a quick glance before darting her chocolate hues back towards the food on the table. Olivia let out another laugh, one that didn’t sound like it had a lace of amusement in it this time around. Her procrastination would be the death of her, but she didn’t expect anything less than her best friend to realise what was going on. It sometimes scared her just how easily he could read her, like he could see right through her. But at the same time, she was blessed to know that she shared a special bond with someone like this. “Yeah,” she started, heaving out a loud sigh. “I have a riff thats been stuck in my head all week, but I just… I can’t find the right words to save my life.” Olivia finished, shaking her head as she placed her fingers against the ivory keys again and began playing the tune, humming along but no coherent words were coming out of her mouth. She finished it off and ran a hand through her hair in frustration. “That’s all I’ve got so far, which in all honesty, isn’t much at all.” she chuckled lightly before getting up off of her seat and moved towards the table in the corner. “I should just pull out of this album.” she mumbled to herself though it was probably loud enough for him to hear. As much as she wanted to be alone right now, there wasn’t anyone else that she would’ve wanted to spend time with except Noah. Olivia tapped the pockets of her jeans, hoping to find her phone there only to realise that she had kept it in her bag. Probably a choice she made to make sure she wouldn’t get distracted but even without her phone, she was still procrastinating and getting nothing done. She turned her head and spotted her bag behind her best friend, pointing towards it. “Hey, do you mind just grabbing my phone? It’s in my bag just behind you.” she requested before darting her attention back to the plastic bags of food, her stomach grumbling just getting another smell of it. What Olivia didn’t know was that her bag contained her song book, the one that she hadn’t shared with Noah and even though most of her lyrics were unfinished, it wouldn’t have taken a genius to figure out who she was writing about. “The old man is great. He says hello, and you know I couldn’t break his heart like that. He loves you way too much, maybe even more than me.” she said through a light chuckle as she shook her head, her chuckle fading into a sad smile. “Hey, whenever you do decide to go and visit him, I’ll come with you. Only if you want me to though.” she reached her hand across the table and placed it on top of his before giving it a small squeeze and shot him a reassuring smile. “How have you been otherwise? Despite… you know, everything thats going on.”

Regardless of what Olivia went through, Noah always reminded her that he would never leave by these decisions. They were best friends. Raised since they were little, everything in his entire world was shaped around Olivia and nothing else. Both of them happened to have their fair differences from time to time. Noah, who allowed decisions to fester in his conscious, still remained alongside his best friend when she shared with everyone about her decision to get married to Jeremy. Jeremy was someone Noah had given a chance after chance when they were in high school. It came along with him being defensive and wanting the best for Olivia. Truth be told, he didn’t care about Jeremy but his opinions never mattered. He never wanted to overshadow Olivia. If Jeremy was everything for her, he’d just have to deal and accept her decision. It was a brutal truth. For all of the years when it was just Olivia and Noah, now, he had to share Olivia with her husband and he hated overstepping any boundaries or spending too much time to even possibly upset Jeremy in the equation. Although, the opinions from Erwin had always been shared with the Monclaire twin. They had an unbreakable bond. When both of Noah’s parents often failed in their attempts of parenting, the young blond haired boy always found comfort in Erwin giving his honest opinion. When Noah’s own relationships came to a failing point, Erwin was the man to hear all about it and voice how the situation should be handled. Of course, Noah never stayed in committed relationships for years upon years. Things happened, as he was always focused on his work. It was no surprise of Erwin’s distaste for Jeremy. He heard all about it. Never did he share light on their private conversations but it was clear, his distaste for his son-in-law wasn’t hidden and things were awkward. Now, they no longer had to deal about it. Even though, Olivia should’ve never been placed in this position in the first place. She had a heart of gold. If he could go back in time, repair the damage and know this would’ve been the outcome for her, he would’ve done everything and anything for her. It was one of the first moments when his feelings became clear as day. The way he admired her at the moment, he felt a ping of jealousy. Everything for him, ever since the moment he met Olivia, his whole life and world was shaped around the image of her. A secret he may have to live with forever.

Leon knew just how stressed Pippa had been lately, or maybe he just wanted to find an excuse to spend some quality time with her without having to worry about college. Though with seeing how stressed she had been about her screenplay, he wanted to do something that would’ve given them both the opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves. Leon always found a good balance between work and play, and for majority of the time, it worked out well for him. Anything to just steal a few moments with Pippa, and even if that meant re-watching the same movie they had been for the past year, he didn’t mind at all. In all honesty, he was always happiest when he was with her and anybody that knew them or either one of them, they knew. Their mutual friends and even his own best friend always questioned about whether or not they were together, since the amount of time he spent with her was abnormal to just someone who he would consider a friend but he was smitten for her and even she knew that. At least, he hoped she did. With all the efforts that he had been trying to show just how obvious his feelings had been, he was hoping that they were translating the way they wanted to. There wasn’t anyone else in the world that could’ve been more proud of her than him about her first screenplay and he had been there through it all, at least he was trying to. Leon knew Pippa like the back of his hand and as much as she doubted herself, he knew the kind of potential that she had which didn’t worry him about how well she would do in this. He couldn’t help but let out a hearty chuckle as he heard her words, giving her shoulder a small squeeze with the hand he had around her, having no plans of letting her go anytime soon. “Well then, I guess that works out fine for Ruth and I, because I’ve already got my eyes on someone special. Someone definitely a lot younger too.” he chuckled as he raised a brow at her. A couple from the car next to them hushed him, only gaining a snicker from Leon as he sunk himself further into his blankets. “Yeah, Pea, be quiet.” he joked as he gave her a light nudge. Even with the film going on, he continued to give her his full attention — not that he was missing out on anything, he had only seen the movie a total of thirty five times. He leaned in and pressed a light kiss against her temple, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for him to do. He had gotten into the habit of doing it that their friends even knew it was nothing out of the ordinary, but the intimacy he shared with Pippa was someone that he wouldn’t do with anybody else. “Yeah?” he asked, his tone much more lower than it was before. The last thing he wanted to do was get hushed again, not wanting to spoil their night out before drowning themselves back into their school work. “Done, Saturday Night Fever it is.” he said, nodding his head once as if he was mentally reminding himself to not book Casablanca the next time they come here. He retracted his arm though not before he shifted his body to face hers, his attention to the film no longer existent. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, by the way, but hows your screenplay coming along? Anything that you want me to do on my end?”

special delivery for : @candicerking1x1

Indiana was always thrilled to hear the news of any of her siblings’ return to Napa Valley, mainly the Abbott villa wouldn’t seem so big and empty for a few days, and having any of them keeping her company was always something she was grateful for. But lately it was more of necessity to have her family around, especially when their father had suddenly fallen sick, she welcomed all the distractions. So to hear that Camille was making the trip back from the East Coast, Indi had been counting down the days until the day actually came around. She was excited to have her sister back, no matter how often they kept in contact with each other, it was hard not to notice her sister’s empty room, considering their shared bathroom joining their bedrooms. When her shift at the florist finally ended, she immediately jumped into her car and drove home, knowing that Camille would’ve arrived already. Once she placed all of the bouquet of wildflowers on the kitchen counter - the perks that came with working as a part-time florist, Indiana didn’t even knock before she threw herself on Camille’s bed, grinning widely at her sister as she made herself comfortable in her bedroom. “About time, Camille. You took your sweet time getting home, you’re lucky that I haven’t eaten all of mom’s banana bread yet.” She propped herself up on one elbow before she continued. “How long are you back for? I just want to know so you can join in all the fun with me, staring at Isaac’s sad puppy dog eyes everyday. I don’t even think he realises that he’s doing it anymore.” Granted, she was merely joking. Her brother was yet another matter on her list to worry about, but that, along with their father’s illness, were placed somewhere hidden in her mind until she had to confront with those issues, which she hoped she wouldn’t have to for the time being. 

special delivery for : @candicerking1x1

High school reunions was something Odette always looked forward to back when she was a senior. Curious to see how everyone turned out after years had passed, whether any of them stuck around here in Boulder, or ventured out into the world for some wild adventures. Whether any of them would turn out as parents or still remained single and free as ever. Everyone was young and naive back when they were all full of dreams for the future; optimistic as ever, it was just a shame that most of those dreams never came true. At least for herself anyway. Now standing here at the entrance of her old school gymnasium, she found herself hesitant to step inside. Although it was nostalgic to walk down these halls again and still remembering where her locker located, she wished she had came along with better stories to share. The brunette had moved back to Boulder a month ago, which was merely a few months after her husband’s passing. His mysterious death to most people, branded as an accident, but the CIA and herself knew the truth behind those lies. It was her fault and she knew it. Even if her colleagues reassured her that it wasn’t, she still blamed herself for it. All due to herself being careless with her online trail while working on a case and it ultimately led the bad guys to her personal life. But she was also livid that they assumed that her husband was the culprit and not herself. So much for being in the twenty-first century and eradicating sexism. Her life had been a secret to many people, including her family ever since she set foot into the CIA. Which was why she didn’t want to be here tonight, to find herself lying to more people mainly out of protection for herself and her loved ones. But her parents insisted that they would take care of her daughter and that she should catch up with everyone and have fun for a few hours. Lost momentarily into her thoughts, she was suddenly pulled back into reality when a group of women spotted her and dragged her into the room, they were no other than the cheerleaders that she used to cheer with. It was hard to imagine now how she managed to maintain her status in the popular crowd as well as taking up such an interest in computers. But maybe it was due to the fact that she didn’t care too much about being popular to begin with. She merely loved surrounding herself with companies, that being her family or friends. Although half an hour into the conversation, she discovered that most of these women ended up starting a family early and were all gossiping about the recent town dramas or gushing how much they loved being stay-at-home wives. It was then, she needed to excuse herself to get a drink before she couldn’t keep up this facade of retaining interest with these people’s lives anymore. Approaching the drinks table, she poured herself a generous cup of punch - which certainly didn’t need spiking anymore, considering they were all grown adults nowadays. But standing on the side of the gym, it did remind her of all the proms and dances she attended to in this building. Watching the crowd for a moment, she felt a presence nearby her, and so she shifted her attention back to the table, before recognition dawned on her at the sight of the man. “Brent?” A genuine smile finally stretched across her features, as she walked towards him. “Brent Wescott, is it really you?” Her gaze fell to his features as she gave him the once-over. “Wow, I can’t believe you’re here. You look great.”

For as long as Olivia could remember, Noah remained the only person constant in her entire life. If she were being honest, maybe against her own family sometimes. Olivia felt like she was constantly losing people, or saying goodbye. Neither that she hadn’t gotten used to just yet. from her mother passing away, to getting engaged, then married, then getting an annulment and finally making the big move to the city — but Noah, he had remained steadfast. She was grateful to have someone like him and Cadence to share all of her memories with growing up, especially since she didn’t have a great one. Constantly blaming herself for the death of her mother was an unhealthy habit that she quickly picked up, and even then, her father or siblings never blamed her for it, but she couldn’t help but think otherwise. Though having the Monclaire’s around, made her childhood a lot more sweeter than she originally thought it would be. She wasn’t quite sure what she never did to deserve someone like Noah in her life, but she held onto him like he was the most precious thing in her life and truth be told, he was. She just didn’t realise how much just yet. After finding Jeremy in bed with someone she once called her best friend, someone that she welcomed into her life and home and introduced her to all the important people in her life — only for her to betray her the way she did, made Olivia’s stomach churn with heartbreak. It just made her realise that everything her dad warned her about all those years ago were the truth. Maybe it didn’t register to her at eighteen for she was too stubborn and proud of her decisions, thinking that this man was someone she was going to spend the rest of her life with. But the twenty-eight year old Olivia was older, wiser and knew hell of a lot better than all those years ago.

At least, she liked to think she was. Though getting an annulment rather than a divorce was probably the best decision she’d ever made in her entire life. After serving him with the papers, Olivia thought it would be best if she stepped out of the city and take a weekend off back at home. She expected a full lecture from her father and an unlimited amount of ‘I told you so’s’ from her brother, but the second she stepped off the plane, she was welcomed with their tight embraces and reassurance that everything was going to be okay. She didn’t believe it at first, but she knew that they wouldn’t have said those things to her if they weren’t true. Olivia knew just how much Erwin was a fan of Noah, one that he has always been vocal about and it only confused her even more because no matter how much she tried to see her friend as just that — the pitch of her stomach kept on telling her something different. She wasn’t sure exactly what it was trying to tell her, but her heart beat differently whenever she saw him. Though everything in her life was vital right now, and the last thing she wanted to do was lose him too. “Have I ever told you how much I love you?” she started through an exasperated sigh that sounded more like relief. She hadn’t realised how hungry she was until the aroma of the food hit her nose. Olivia stood up from her seat and moved towards the corner where there was a table, one that wasn’t meant to be used for eating but she did anyway. “Don’t be silly.” she said as she waved off a hand. “I could actually use a break, I’ve been here all morning. Plus, you’re here, and nothing is ever too important for you.” she said easily through a smile, looking up at him before clearing her throat a little awkwardly. “I haven’t seen you since I got back. How have you been? Uh, Cadence mentioned that your parents are getting a divorce.” Olivia started, a little hesitance in her tone. “I’m sorry.”

Regardless of the path life happened to throw at both of them, Noah would always support Olivia and anything that made her the happiest. From the first moment both of them connected with each other, their bond was like, unlike anything he had ever experience. A man with few friends, considering both of his sisters and cousins as his closest, Olivia was the one who made him feel appreciated and worth it on every passing occasion. Even if it meant Noah was allowed to go on a tangent about a Comic Book he had just finished or simply fanboy over his sudden obsession with Gucci, his best friend endured it all. The way they both moved to the city to proceed forward with their hopes and dreams, even allowed them to work together. It was a dream come true for him. The way he appreciated Olivia’s music and praised her to the highest of standards, one where not many people received such compliments from Noah before, he knew his best friends love and passion for music didn’t need to go unnoticed. There was a lot within her. A lot to share with people. This was why he loved music, her music, as Olivia allowed herself to further transpire into a raw state where other artists wouldn’t dare to allow themselves. He knew she felt a lot and dealt with a lot of remorse regardless of the loss of her mother. Yet, as he reminded her it was never her fault, he hoped deep within she knew nothing would ever stop him from reminding her and putting her up on a pedal stool. Then, even when it came to her marriage, one he had rarely spoken about and allowed his opinions to be voiced, the news of Jeremy cheating on her broke his heart. Someone as beautiful, full of heart, and wanting to spread her love forward to others had been taken for granted. It fueled the fire within him. As the only person who witnessed a lashing out due to the frustration was Erwin, himself, who had voiced his opinions about the pairing in dinner conversations here and there. In the beginning, it was a joke but the feelings clutching inside of his chest and growing by every moment, day, both Olivia and himself had spent together, it was clear to him over how overpowering his feelings were for her and how no other girlfriend in his past had ever made him float on Cloud Nine. No one else ever made him feel like he belonged and someone would understand him. It took him realizing the only person he ever wanted to love for the rest of his life was standing in front of him - hurting yet again.

Leon’s Friday nights always consisted of doing nothing. If he wasn’t downtown with a camera clutched around his calloused fingers, hoping to capture some sort of content, he could always be seen behind his laptop editing one. He fell into getting too comfortable with his normal routine but it was always this specific day of each month, Leon would always clear his entire schedule. He made sure to keep it free for it was his own little tradition with Pippa to go and watch their favourite movie in the local drive in movie theatre. Probably one of the days in his entire months that he looked forward too. Ever since Leon moved out of his parents’ home and into his own, a part of him was afraid of finally being alone to fend for himself, but he could always trust that Pippa was nearby and he honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. She was the first friend he made when his parents made the move away from France, and the fact that she had stuck with him throughout all these years without denting their friendship, showed him just the kind of person she was. The kind of person that Leon loved, and at this point, it had been a kind of love that was no longer for a friend, but something more. He hadn’t been trying to hide it, and maybe that was his biggest flaw — he always wore his heart on his sleeve but with Pippa, it was always different. He never felt like he had to held back and maybe that was one of the reasons why he started to fall for her. It was always easy with her. And whether or not she started to realise just how obvious he had been making his feelings out for her, he wouldn’t have cared anyway. “Ruth, a lady after my own heart.” Though you’re still my number one. He thought to himself. Instead, he chuckled as he continued fishing for the blankets he had collected from his house in the backseat of his truck. “Remind me to say thank you to her on our way out of here.” he added. After getting a hold of them, he joined her in the empty space of the back and placed a blanket around Pippa’s shoulder before wrapping one around himself, closing the distance between them as he sat closer. “We feasting like kings!” he playfully prompted through a bark of laughter. Leon took one of the snacks, going after specifically the candy, brushing his thumb effortlessly against hers as he tried to hide his smile. “I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m always glad for you, belle.” he started, emphasising on the word, enunciating on his french accent accent. He swiped his hand over his curls, moving them out of his eyesight to get a proper look at her. The familiar opening of the movie blasted through the speakers, indicating that the movie began but he was still looking at her. Casually, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in even closer before moving his sage coloured hues away from her and onto the big movie screen. Another habit he gained, one that he did too often. “You know, if you tell me you’re sick of Casablanca and want to watch something else, I wouldn’t be opposed to it at all.”