PAPER RINGS;

The numbness that had taken over Zeynep since hearing of her father's passing had only seemed to increase as the hours passed by. She was still reeling from the loss of Ariana and to be dealing with this again so soon felt like a crueler twist of fate than she deserved. There was no one to lean back on, though. Her mother needed her, her siblings needed her, Darian needed her. So, she woke up each morning, diligently worked through any arrangements that needed to be made, any details that could be missed, all the while retreating back behind a protective wall where no more emotions could reach her. "She's always had impeccable taste. I think Darian and I will be here a few more days with her before we fly back out. If you need to leave sooner, I can arrange flights." All business, duty, things that she could wrap her head around when everything else inside of her felt like it was shattered.

Cemre had always been closer with the Aslan family than she was with the Deniz cousins she had, mostly because they were closer in age to her so bonding had been easy. With her dad constantly gone she was raised between her village of a family. However, as she sat with the Aslan girls she couldn’t feel more distant from them right now. While she’d dealt with loss, this was a kind of loss she had only ever grown up knowing. She shifted uncomfortably on her chair as she tried to figure out how to best comfort either woman in the way they’d need. Throughout the whole funeral she’d been strong for the others, refusing and willing herself not to cry. Not wanting do burden them with her grief over their father and her uncle. “It was.” Cemre said, she could feel the dryness in her voice. “I wish she would have let us help arrange it.” She added quietly, she wanted to take some of the weight from the Aslan family, even if at times she felt like she couldn’t carry it; it was ultimately just what family did for one another. 

“I’ll stay too. I know how lonely it is when everyone leaves finally and it’s just you.” Cemre remarked softly. “I don’t  want that for Hala.” Plus a part of her hoped that she would have time to make her enough meals to at least last the next two months so she wouldn’t have to worry about food. “If you want some time with your mom I can watch Darian tomorrow and you can go do something? Maybe help you both decompress a bit from…” The funeral. She wanted to say but couldn’t find the words. “Should we consider maybe if Hala wants to come back with us for a bit?” || @fatmaxaslan

“It’s good to see you again too.” She added with a smile, before putting a hand in her hair and smoothing it out. “I promise I don’t. But yeah, I do’t think I ever really unfollow ever myself. Here and there maybe if you’ve burned me, but you never really did so.” Rambling on once more before stopping herself once more. She hated how much she always rambled around people when she was nervous. “Aww I’m glad.” She was happy that he’d found somewhere that made him so happy. “Is it? I mean my sister isn’t a mom so I don’t know that it would really change much, but still.” While they were still close, they hadn’t talked much since she’d moved back. Lately she was closer to her cousins than her sister, but it didn’t mean she loved her any less. “Oh have you ate there?” Asking curiously as she raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? What places do you recommend?” Asking for recommendations since she was still new to town. “I mean everything is still new and shiny to me.” ||  @sebastianxthomas

"Am not, just some regular dude," he spoke using his umbrella to cover her as he bent down. "Be careful, let me help you up," he soft voice calm and soft. @cemrexdeniz

Cemre looked up at him as he bent down to cover her from the rain, she gave a half hearted smile. “And here I thought my suffering was finally over.” She joked playfully. Sitting up as she offered to help her up, she put out a hand. “I think I’m okay.” She promised despite now being wet and her bike still on the ground. “SO regular dude, what’s your name?” She asked curiously. “I’m just the girl who fell off her bike. Or you can call me Cemre if you prefer.” || @kysonxgoodwin

starter for @cemrexdeniz

location: farmer's market

The mornings at Kismet Harbor's farmer's market was one of her happy places. Not only did she make frequent trips for ingredients for Cobblestone Cafe and flowers for all the tables, but for her home shared with her husband as well. Aarin wandered around, the reusable bag strap over her shoulder, ready to be filled with the wonders found at the farmer's market. She stopped at the booth with handmade soaps first, their scents drawing her in so easily. Aarin wore a smile, reaching for one and lifting it to her nose, "Wow," her smile grew as she took in the fresh, floral scent. "Have you tried this one before?" She said, turning to someone else that had just approached.

Cemre always relaxed in the mornings and one of her most relaxing activities was shopping at the farmers market. While it was busy, but a place she found calming overall because she could zone out and focus on what was being sold. She’d already made one quick trip around the farmers market to make sure she saw everything, but hadn’t bought anything just yet. This way she could scope out what booths interested her most. As she stopped at the home made soaps she was looking over them trying to decide what one would fit for her new bathroom at Zeynep’s place. While it wasn’t ideal to stay there forever, it was nice being around family again. Hearing the woman next to her brought her out of her thoughts though she looked over with a smile. “Honestly no. I’ve never tried any of this before. I mean I’ve been to a farmers market…” She explained, before picking up the soap that Aarin was talking about. “Just not this soap, you know?” She added before smelling it. “It smells very nice though." She said before putting it back and picking up another. "What kinda smell are you looking for? Or is it already the winner?" || @aarinxvaughn

Cemre gave a smile when Rhea said that the whiskey was good, it had also been her favorite of the event. While she wasn’t big on whiskey in general, it was a nice change from the wine she always drank. “Ooo are you a big whiskey drinker?” Asking curiously to the woman next to her. “Wait— you’ve actually rode a bull before? I think you might be my favorite person on earth now.” She told her with excitement. “Yes, please let’s go ride the bull. Well— a mechanical one!” ||  @rheaxblakewood

One of the great things of running her Instagram account was that Sylvie was able to find and make connections with others. There were many who simply came into her life just to try and get their own followers or whatever other benefits and would dip when they got those, but there were the very rare times where she was able to find a real, true friendship. After many people tried to take advantage of her, she struggled to trust anyone who came to her seeking "friendship", but over time she'd found a genuine friendship within Cemre. It had started with a follow, and then a message, and then they started hanging out. Now, she considered Cemre one of her close friends. "Vodka, or tequila?" she asked, looking into her cupboard, and then back towards the other before taking both of the bottles out. "Second question: mixed drinks, or shots?" She grinned, her brow raising as she awaited a response.

Being instagram famous or famous at all had never been on Cemre’s thing, she had a relatively small following that was mostly people she knew and family. If anything she used her instagram to lust after different people, appreciate artwork, and try out new beauty tips; it was just the mindless scrolling that she needed at times. However, every once an a while she did make a friend with one of the many artists she followed, one of those had been Sylvie. While they were rarely ever in the same place until Kismet they’d stayed in contact even when she was a whole continent away. “Doesn’t Tequila make your clothes fall off?” Referencing an old song she’s heard before on the radio jokingly. “Although I’ve never been the modest type so I guess tequila.” Giving Sylvie a wink playfully. “Mixed. While I love a shot I’m not sure tonight is a shots night. I gotta work tomorrow.” She told her with a laugh. “What about you? Mixed drinks or shots? Cause if you’re not busy tomorrow you can always hang out at my hotel room while I’m away.” Offering up in cause Sylvie needed a place to crash. “We might as well make use of the room before I move in with my cousin. Which let me tell you, girl, her house is so nice. I’ve practically got a whole wing to myself there.”

Daylight waned and faded into a deep shade of midnight blue as night unfurled and sunk its nasty teeth into their half of the globe. Darkness gathered gradually and Kismet Harbor's street lay drenched in shadows. And with it came a strange lightness, a deranged sense of ease. Sam had found himself venturing further into this part of town, ever since that fateful night, his eyes, drowsy and tired, fixed on the restaurant's entrance. It was hypnotic, almost too easy to get lost in spiraling thoughts. The building's wall in his back was no longer enough to ground him and he drifted farther and deeper. Some place far away, where he still felt a closeness to everyone who had left this realm. Elliot. His mother. His brother's family. Annika. Swallowing, he barely noticed the lump that had formed inside his throat when he turned his gaze and squinted against the flicker of a street light, recognizing the woman's silhouette a heartbeat too late. She was a stranger, her name as big of a mystery as the reason this had begun. A small routine on the verge of developing. Of them keeping each other company in the shelter of faux anonymity. He knew that if she wanted to, she could easily figure out his name and yet, there was a trust that she might refrain from such measures. "Hey", he spoke, his voice carrying the rasp of someone who had not spoken a single word the whole day.

Cemre wasn’t a server so she stayed later than most to finish out the night by helping wash dishes or prepare things for the next day. After saying goodbye to everyone though she headed out to take the trash out and was welcome with a familiar face. While she didn’t know his name, he hadn’t offered it up during their few meetings so she knew better than to ask. Even though it might have been risky meeting a man after dark, he didn’t seem like a serial killer so she took her changes. “Hey,” Greeting with a smile and a half wave before she tossed the heavy bag into the trashcan. “Lovely night to be out.” She commented before pointing up at the stars in the sky. “I’m headed out, but if you want I can sneak you in the back and make you some food before I go?” Offering in case he was hungry. “Or we can take my bike and there’s some food trucks around I’m sure?”

It was a quiet day at the pharmacy. Though, she wasn't sure when a busy day was. It was usually quiet except for the weird music channel her boss played in the shop and the occasional rush of customers, but she hadn't really experienced a full rush yet as she started the job about twenty days prior. She was working on refilling a prescription when she heard the bell above the door. Talia moved to the counter, a smile on her face, and she looked at the woman there. "Hi. How can I help you?"

The Coffee Carousel was busy today, the male had agreed to meet someone here and he had arrived early. He had manage to find a seat and saved the person he was meeting a spot but he had gotten a text that they were unable to make it. The male sighed as he turned off his phone and just drank his coffee as he people watched before zoning out. Orion was in his own word when he heard someone speaking to him.

Walking over to him with a smile and she asked if she could set. However, when he asked what she had been saying and clearly hadn’t heard her, Cemre wondered if this was a bad idea all together. “The chair.” Pointing to the empty chair across from him. “I was wondering if it was taken by someone or if I could sit with you.” @orionxblakewood