holy / hollow.

​​Halide watched in perplexed fascination as the newest competitor tackled the second round of the obstacle course... in a full lobster costume rather than a swimsuit. “I can’t tell if I should be impressed,” she murmured, “or really, really confused right now.” 

Just when you think you’ve seen it all. 

The soft wisp of a laugh tickled her throat and she shook her head... moments before realizing she’d actually spoken out loud. Her gaze swiveled to the left and snagged on the closest face. “I— sorry,” Hali inwardly cringed. Right on cue, her cheeks flamed pink. “I have this habit of—” talking to myself, apparently. 

She tucked her lips over her teeth, if only to stop herself from blurting that, too, then expelled another, rather sheepish laugh. “Sorry. Ignore me. I think all this sun has gone to my head.”  

location ↬  bonfire on the beach, friday. status ↬  closed for @halideobvsi​

Knowing her ex was back on the island had sent Adalet into a whirlwind of emotions in which she dealt with the only way she knew how to - by throwing herself into work. That meant ramping up her scheduling, booking two more clients than she usually does a month for September weddings, and being a complete pain in the ass to every single vendor she had to deal with in the last two weeks. The more she was working and stressing over the weddings she had planned, the less she had the opportunity to think about Halide. Though, her thoughts took a detour of their own, late at night when her mind had calmed and she was about to fall asleep, the woman that she had once dated appearing more than once in her barely awake dreams. There was a persistent nagging that grew in the back of her mind as she subconsciously tried to not run into the other woman on what they both knew was a very small island. The summer tourists that Adalet found herself weaving around now helped with that and she found herself enjoying the bonfire on the beach, taking a break from flirting with a pretty blonde that wasn’t really her type but someone she fully hoped to take home that night to grab them drinks from the nearest bar set up. Face flushed from the heat of the bonfire, Adalet waved down a bartender and ordered the drinks with ease. Her enjoyment only came to an end when she heard a familiar voice call out a familiar order beside her, the sound somehow managing to light her skin on fire, even after all the time that had past. “Same old drink? I thought you were more adventurous than that.”

—

She’d somehow managed to steer clear of Adalet ever since that blunder at the café but, as the saying went, all good things must come to an end. Hali should’ve known her lucky streak would run out at a town-wide event like Floatopia. In fact, she pretty much predicated it. 

What she didn’t anticipate was seeing Addie cozied up with a drop dead gorgeous blonde. Even from a short distance away Hali could see she had mile long legs and an infectious smile. The kind of laugh you could happily drown in. 

Somewhere deep down she realized Addie surely must’ve moved on, but that visual confirmation had been like a smack to the face. Almost as much as the suspicion that she was probably immensely more suited for Addie than she’d ever been. 

Silently, and halfway toward falling apart right there in the sand, she’d turned away and headed anywhere but there. The DJ booth, the bobbing food boats— her wandering path through multiple distractions worked for about an hour until she noticed Addie get up and make her way to the bar.

Call her a masochist, or maybe just on the wrong side of tipsy, but that’s when Hali’s resolve shattered. It probably blew off in the wind somewhere to join her abandoned pride. 

None too subtly she waved down the bartender despite the fact that her drink was still one third of the way full. Then, as if she hadn’t been pathetically moping over her ex for the better part of the evening, she flashed something in the vicinity of a tiny smile. “In some ways? Maybe. But I guess when I find something I like I stick with it.” 

It wasn’t until the words left her lips that Hali saw how it might’ve been taken. How easily it might’ve been assumed she’d meant to make a dig against them when, in reality, she’d only hoped to come off cool, confident, and composed. 

A wash of pink rapidly spread from her chest to her cheeks while Hali mentally cursed herself for sounding so petty. Her facade of casual indifference crumbled in a flash. “I just mean, well— I just meant—” 

For the love of God, stop talking. 

Ignoring the flames at her face and the clench of her heart, Hali murmured, “Are you having a good night?” Every inch of her wanted Addie to say no. To say she was having a miserable time. But… her eyes darted back to the blonde still sitting by the fire. Her smile wavered at the reminder. “She’s, uhm, she’s really pretty.”

WHO: Open. WHEN:Afternoon. WHERE: Floatopia — beach or docks area! TAGGING: @fireislandstarters​

          “It’s so nice out here today, right?” With her own Bloom sunscreen in hand, Caria was enjoying being out of the shop for the day. No hands moulding bath bombs or mixing salts today. She’d made a promise that she’d get out and be a little social and with as pushy as her older sister, Melisa, could be the brunette came without a fuss. “I’ve got some sunscreen if you need it.” The bottle in her hand was offered with a smile, not really trying to plug her products but since she made her own Caria wasn’t going out to buy something from the store. Especially something that was full of harmful chemicals and not really good for the skin, let alone the barrier reef. “It’s important to reapply every few hours no matter what it says on the bottle.” She was a skin care expert after all, and while she wouldn’t mind the business of people coming into her shop for relief from sunburns, Caria wanted to save people the pain and damage. “There’s no CBD in this in case you were wondering.” The majority of her products contained the wonder ingredient. “Anyway, which one of the floats is yours?”

—

Eyes closed and face tipped to the warm rays from above, Halide hummed in agreement. Usually, she wasn’t one for crowds, but between the gorgeous weather and the insistence of her sister how could she refuse? 

Sasha had been right. A weekend on the beach was exactly what they both needed. 

It was another moment of silent bliss before Hali cracked her eyes open but, when she spied the bottle of sunscreen in her hands - or, more specifically, the label - she quickly grinned. In a minutely sheepish sort of way, but she grinned all the same. “I’ll admit I forgot to bring my own, so I’d love some.” Sure she was right, but never quick to assume, she added, “That’s from your shop, right?”

As a business owner, herself - though not nearly established enough for a dedicated storefront - she made a habit of supporting local entrepreneurs. In fact, the vanity in her new rental was already stocked with a few additions she’d been meaning to try out from Bloom. 

Hali extended her hand, palm up, and waited for a squeeze while her attention drifted toward the water. “It’s that ivory one right over there.” The shell shaped raft was rather plain and inconspicuous, just how she liked it. “What about you?”

Who: @fireislandstarters​ Where: Floating obstacle course in the ocean

There were a million different things that people would describe Adriana as being, but one thing that she was sure everyone could agree on would be, competitive. Growing up as an only child, she wasn’t sure really where her competitiveness came from, but every tournament, every contest, every gym class, she had to win. As she got older, that need to win had only intensified, even it was a game of pool in a bar. Now, staring down the wet, inflatable slide in the middle of the inflatable obstacle course, the need to beat it was driving her mad. “Oh, come on!” She reached for the slippery ladder again, climbing a couple of steps before she slipped back down, only just managing to hold onto the structure to stop herself from falling off. 

Pulling herself back to standing, Adi held one hand up. “I’m sorry, this is my nemesis, I can’t get up, give me a second.” Looking at it again, Adi rolled her shoulders before trying once more and slipping back down once more. “Well, it’s your lucky day, I took ‘suns out, buns out’ too far and you lucky thing just get to wait and watch me try and get over this thing.” Glancing back, the girl shrugged once. “It’s your lucky day, sweetness. Any tips?”

—

Honestly, Adriana could stand in her way for the rest of the afternoon and Hali probably wouldn’t complain. For one thing, she wouldn’t dare. For another? She only participated in the obstacle course because it was expected. 

Ever since her earliest years she’d been content to let others take the win and even now, at thirty-two, that hadn’t changed. Hali? Competitive? Not a chance. 

“Take your time, please.” A soft, vaguely amused chuckle passed through her throat. “You’re honestly saving me a world of embarrassment right now.” She was fit in the sense that she enjoyed running along the beach and doing yoga, but coordinated enough to climb a wet ladder without landing on her ass? Eh.

WHO: open (@fireislandstarters​ ) . WHEN: saturday evening . WHERE: floatopia, beachfront . 

Devon rested against the side of the DJ booth, a half-burnt cigarette hanging loosely in his lips as his fingers flicked through a box of borrowed records. It was the closest he’d got to ‘ joining the party ’ since his arrival at Fire Island eight years ago and he was ( begrudgingly ) enjoying the atmosphere; the orange horizon, the smell of barbecues and sound of laughter. The DJ certainly knew their target audience — summer vibes and family-friendly sing-along classics. The bands themselves were talented, and Devon felt an ancient itch to join them, to see if he still had it. He held back, as always, and instead agreed to protect the DJ’s precious decks as they went to grab a well-deserved pint from a nearby bar. A figure approached, and Devon removed his cig to throw them a serviceable smile. 

“E’enin. Any requests? I’ve got full reign o’the decks ‘til the professional gets back for another round of Bryan Adams. I think I saw some Aqua at the bottom, here.”

—

With a blind sort of focus Halide trekked across the beach, her drink clutched in a white knuckle grip and her mind somehow both fifty yards and two years away. She didn’t even realize where she’d wandered until a friendly offer broke through the gloom of her thoughts. 

“Oh, uhm...” Her eyes darted from his face to the box of records in the sand. A small furrow pinched between her brows. For the life of her, she couldn’t think of a single request on the spot. She’d only headed in the direction of the DJ booth to escape her ex. 

Or, more specifically, the gut wrenching sight of her ex cozied up to a stunning, vivacious blonde.

The memory, not even five minutes old, sank that tiny divot on her forehead deeper. But, to Hali’s credit, she managed to flash a tepid smile. “Uhm, I’m fine with whatever.” She wished she could blame that entirely on spotting Adalet again but, the truth was, Hali toed every line like it was her job. She rarely voiced her own opinions and thoughts. 

Still holding tight to her drink, she inspected the box with a final cursory glance and then settled her gaze on the lit cigarette that dangled from his mouth. So what if she’d kicked the habit years ago? Or if it’d been more of a secret, rebellious experiment than habit in the first place? 

The corner of her mouth hitched higher, briefly, and she gestured with a tiny jut of her chin. “What are the chances you have a spare one of those, though?” At that point, she’d take any distraction in any form. 

.

Her cut off words held purpose. She was right in all aspects. From what they heard would leave anyone sane stumbling. “Sure, but I think they should at least step outside to talk about those kinds of things.” One would think and hope. But obviously, they didn’t have a care in the word. Everything was set on the table for anyone to overhear. “I think I should at least buy that first round. I did bring up their can of worms. I mean, if I hadn’t said anything maybe that would have helped?” He offered but shook his head. There was definitely no right way to go about hearing that sort of thing. But nonetheless a small smile was shown her way in case she was trying to ignore the chaos that was the couple not far from them.

—

“I guess some people absent the day they went over silly things like discretion and privacy back in grade school,” Hali quipped before she could stop herself. A tiny laugh tricked out from between her parted lips, but mostly because she was embarrassed to have said something out of turn like that. Her cheeks blazed with renewed vengeance while her eyes darted back to her empty drink. “Though maybe— maybe living without shame isn’t entirely a bad thing.” 

Lord knew she could do with a bit more carefree, uninhibited attitude. 

Maybe it was that thought that had her looking back up at him. Had her taking note of the friendly smile, small as it was, and following suit. “But, uhm, yeah. Sure. Okay. If you don’t mind.” She didn’t want him buying her drink if he felt he had to. Still— “I, uh, I’ll have a gin and tonic. If you haven’t been scared off before then, I’ll pick up round two.”

.

A wedding planner who ran from love. The irony wasn’t lost on her, but it was something she so often ignored. Planning weddings was lucrative, especially on a tourist-driven island like the one she lived on and so close to an expensive place like the city. Who could blame her for her career choice when it made her lifestyle so easy, right? And she had no control over a natural talent such as that one - how was she supposed to justify taking a career she would always struggle in when this one came so simply? Those were, of course, things Adalet told herself to make herself feel better every time she pushed someone away, every time she watched two of her clients tie the knot in a romantic ceremony and her chest twisted in a particular longing that she refused to acknowledge. As lucrative as weddings were, she had herself convinced that the couples would never last. 

Just like she was convinced her relationship with Hali would never last.

She knew as soon as she heard the news about Sasha that her sister wouldn’t be far behind, but she was surprised to hear the woman had rented a place. Renting wasn’t permanent, but it did hold a note of sticking around that a hotel room or a spare room at Sasha’s wouldn’t have had and Adalet couldn’t help the soft smile that grew on her lips as Hali spoke about the place she rented. “It sounds perfect.” Just like you were the words left unsaid, the words lingering on her lips, begging to be let out. Instead she held them in, piling them with everything else that had been left unsaid between them. 

“Please,” She offered, sliding the plate closer to Hali’s edge of the table they sat at. “You know me, not great at finishing anything.” Somehow, she felt as though the admittance was about more than just the sandwich and a familiar twinge of regret bubbled into her throat. “Everyone wants to have those beautiful beach weddings, but thankfully no one wants to plan them. I took a few in Long Island too, don’t ask me why I thought I’d continue to keep my sanity past June though. I think I’ll be living on anti-acids and a bottle of tequila until Christmas.” A whisper of a laugh fell from her lips, gaze meeting Hali’s as her pen tapped quietly against her notebook. “I really am sorry about why you’re in town. How, uh- how long are you planning on staying?”

—

For a moment Hali tuned her out. Not because she didn’t care about whatever Adalet was saying, but because she became too fascinated by the way she said it. All that talk of weddings only reminded her of how’d they’d met. Property, at least.

She’d seen Addie around the island for years but it wasn’t until two two summers ago, alone at a friend’s reception, that she (and the two glasses of wine she’d already had) got up the courage to finally speak. They’d spent the night between dancing and more drinks until, to Hali’s utter shock, they’d landed in a bed.

By now she couldn’t even remember whose bed. Wasn’t even sure it mattered, either.

The next morning the untangled from the sheets and said their goodbyes, but then they kept seeing each other. Again, and then again. By summer’s end she’d found herself in a full fledged relationship and it was thoughts of that, not the way it ended, that had her gaze dipping to Addie’s mouth. That had her remembering what it was like to be on the receiving end of its attention.

Shit. What was she saying? Oh. Right.

“You’ll have to come over and see it sometime.” It tumbled out of Halide without permission yet she couldn’t find it in her to take it back. For one thing... embarrassing. But for another, it was true. “If you find time in your schedule—“ and if you want to— “of course. It’d be... nice. To see you again. You know. Beyond right now.”

The more she babbled the more Hali knew she genuinely meant it, but where Adalet stood was the mystery. Did she miss her? Even a little bit? Even as a friend? She studied Addie for a moment, trying to find an answer in her eyes, and then suddenly became preoccupied with her new half of a sandwich.

“Uhm.” That was a good question. “I guess for however long I need to be here.” Sasha would never ask her to stay which is exactly why Hali felt she should. “I’ve signed a lease through the year, though. So, uhm, at least as long as that?”

Known faces were always good to find.

The way Marisol lived her life it was very uncommon for her to bump into the same person twice unless they lived in Fire Island. As she had learned while growing up there, it was impossible not to bump into the same person twice, or three times, or even way more than that. It was both a curse and a blessing to be one of the 200 people who lived there.

Still, Hali’s face was a sight for sore eyes. When had they been last when they had met one another? Was it Thailand? Maldives? Somewhere in the Middle East? She couldn’t remember, their travels had always been busy, even more when their destinations met the other. 

Even after letting her go, Sol put a small distance between them with each hand on the brunette’s shoulder, almost as if she could swear she was a mirage. Before she could even answer Hali, Sol had the immediate idea of pulling her by the hand somewhere the music wasn’t as loud and people weren’t crowding as much around them. 

Once they had found the food stalls with some picnic benches, she let go of Hali’s hand and took a seat right on the table.

“Jesus, I cannot believe it’s actually you,” Sol said excited with a laugh.

“To answer your questions though,” she took a moment and signaled the man inside the stall, asking for two waters, “I’m fine, really. Must have gotten to the island what? A week ago? Maybe a little more and I don’t know for how long I’m staying, you know me,” ever since landing in Fire Island had Marisol wanted to leave, book the first plane ticket, but she had promised her father at least until Fourth of July… but could she really stay that long? 

Soon enough Marisol had the waters in hand, paying for them with some change she had taken there she gave Halide one before screwing the cap on hers and taking a healthy sip. “Dad had an accident and he was in the hospital for a while, so I’m seeing him back to health, after he’s up and walking… who knows where the wind will take me? But I’m desperately wanting to go rock climbing, so I’m trying to decide between Yosemite, Kalymnos, Rock Island, Dolemites… which ever the plane ticket is less expensive and wherever is closer to my next surfing destination. If you’re up for it, please come with me!” Marisol extended the invitation with a large smile. “What about you? What the hell are you doing here and for how long your staying?”

—

A week. No wonder they hadn’t run into each other until now.

Hali could hole up inside of her studio for months at a time if the world deigned to forget about her for awhile, and when you added her hermit tendencies to everything with Sasha... well, it made sense.

“I’m so sorry to hear about your dad,” she murmured as they eased away from the dancers and the music on stage. “If I’d known I wouldn’t paid him a visit. Maybe dropped off some dinners to his house.” She didn’t know the man from any other face in the crowd, not really, but it’s just who she was. Especially considering his daughter was one of her only legitimate friends. Hali didn’t do well with strangers. Didn’t usually open up to anyone her sister hadn’t vetted and befriended first.

Marisol was perhaps the lone exception.

With a grateful smile she accepted the drink, guzzling down her own few sips, before she gestures vaguely to where they were. “Well, you know my grandparents live here. I probably would’ve ended up on the island eventually as it was, but—“ she trickled off into silence. Had Sol seen Sasha yet? Had she heard? It felt odd speaking about her sisters grief without her present and yet she found herself confiding in Marisol, anyway.

“Well, after Justin passed Sasha decided to move here indefinitely. I was worried about her, so I moved too.” Her rented house in Cherry Woods was probably the closest thing to roots she’d had since graduating from high school. “I guess I’m here for however long I need to be. However long she needs me.” And only time would be able to determine that. Hali’s lips quirked with another smile, though, when she considered the tentative plans. “But nobody said that means I can’t fit in a short vacation, right? If you head out let me know beforehand. Maybe we’ll end up together on the same flight.”

—

Despite the situation she’d currently found herself in and the way she’d thrust the phone in the other woman’s face, Skylar had a wide grin on her features as she pressed a quick succession of kisses into her cheek. “Hi. Love you. Please look at this possible dick for me then we can talk about how great your hair looks today. Deal?” With one last kiss pressed to Hali’s cheek, Skylar snatched up the fork and took the bite before leaning back out of the brunette’s space and settling into her seat. “Okay but look, I haven’t actually opened it. Things were weird and then I saw it was a picture message and I just got that vibe you know? Like you can just tell it’s gonna be a dick. Men are the opposite of subtle about it.”

Leaning forward to take another bite from Halide’s food, Skylar returned the fork back to the other woman’s plate, her own nose scrunched up in disgust as Hali described the photo. “Gross.” Her words came out muffled as her mouth was still full, so she finished chewing and swallowed the bite before speaking again. “Okay but hear me out, I didn’t do it on purpose. Creepy Tony would have never seen the goods if he weren’t so late! I was dying my hair and didn’t want to get anything on my clothes so I just… didn’t wear any. I was planning on putting my robe on when he knocked but I got caught up in some music and just… answered without thinking and… you know the rest. He had creepy Hannibal eyes, Hal. Like I half expect to end up in his basement with him telling me to put the lotion on my skin, ya know? It was creepy and now, apparently, his deformed dick is on my phone. What even is my life?”

—

The question was obviously rhetorical, but Hali still muttered, “Something fit for a movie, undoubtedly,” while another smile crept over her face. She handed back Skylar’s phone, then reclaimed ownership of her fries. “It’s definitely some form of male anatomy. I’ll give him points for artistic liberties, but—“ she paused. A new wrinkle creased between her brows. “I think he tried to get angle that exaggerated proportions a bit and lost the plot along the way. Either that or he really, really needs a helping hand in photoshop.”

The comment repeated itself in her mind for a moment. When she realized subtle pun she absolutely had not intended she suddenly didn’t feel quite so hungry.   “Only you, I swear. Only you and your situations could put me off a perfectly good lunch.” If she’d been in the mood for that she would’ve ordered the hot sausage. Still, the smile never left Hali as she made room at the table for Skylar. “Naked bits aside, how’s everything else been? Any promising developments in the search for Mr. Right?”

-

“I’m positive.” The brunette said with a nod, she didn’t even see how the other girl could be at fault for this, and even, and the minuscule chance that she was at fault, Magnolia still would never let her replace a tomato. It was a tomato–in the grand scheme of things it didn’t matter. “I uh–” Magnolia said, struggling with the strap of one of the many satchels of groceries “sure.” She finally said, letting the one that was on the verge of slipping, fall down her bicep into the crook of her elbow, before handing it out. “Oh.” The girl said, “that actually makes sense. I half thought you were going to say some crazy thing.” 

—

Hali desperately wished she knew how to be normal. Wished she knew how to make conversation with people she hadn’t already known for the majority of the time she’d been alive. That kind of thing just didn’t come easy. She either froze, unable to form a single word, or she tripped and stumbled over herself trying to be polite. Agreeable. Accepted. Usually, all that led to was a vicious bout of nerves and a tendency to try so hard she likely grew obnoxious.

If that’s what this woman thought she really didn’t want to know.

“I’m sure in some circles anyone who’s always one step outside of reality would be considered crazy,” she aimed to joke with another tentative smile. “I dunno, though. I guess— I guess I’ve just always felt more at peace in my daydreams.” And, in this case, there was the correlation to her work. “So—“ hefting the other bag onto her shoulder she waited to follow her lead— “are you, uhm, just visiting for the summer or here to stay?”

.

Over the years, with having a child around and an open door policy with all his friends and family, Jason was no longer startled or surprised when he’d hear a new voice in the house. 

Looking over his shoulder, pausing as he was gathering up some ingredients to begin on the pasta dinner Kaya had requested, a smile curved his lips in seeing Hali. “Here I am.” Righting himself, he moved quick to move to her and relieve her of the box she was carrying. Muttering, “let me get that,” as he did so.

As his niece grew up, Jason was more and more considering that his friends were more so her friends at this point. Between Hali, Sky, and Sasha they all spent more time with the little blonde and were involved in more of her activities. He was proud of it, considered it apart of growing up, but it was also amusing.

Setting the box on the kitchen table in the dining room, Jason took a peek inside. Over the past few months Kaya had been spending Saturday mornings and more over at Hali’s place, coming home each time to tell him the things she got up to with Hali in her studio. The little blonde was enthralled by the creativity. 

“You’re never interrupting, you’re always welcome here,” Jason assured. “I was just making some pasta for Kaya if you wanna stay and eat.” If Kaya hadn’t already heard or been aware of a guest, one that she loved, he’d call for the ten year old soon enough. 

“These look pretty awesome,” he commented, moving some of the pieces around as he carefully checked them out. “So this is what you’ve been working on, huh?” With a chuckle, Jason tacked on, “she wouldn’t tell me what pieces she was making.”

—

“If you have enough for one more I’d love that. Thank you.” The sudden change in Hali’s eyes, that new gleam of brightness, was almost instantaneous. It wasn’t comfortable to think of oneself as things like clingy - or, her personal nightmare, needy - but sometimes it couldn’t be helped and there was something to be said about those little gestures of reassurance. Of getting confirmation that the people you enjoyed wanted you around, too.

She settled in next to Jason at the counter and began to carefully extract the other pieces from the box. “Between you and me, one of her plates broke in the kiln—“ pockets of air inside the clay were great for that— “but if it’s alright with you I’d rather just tell Kaya I loved it so much I had to keep it for myself.” She’d been working so hard lately. Hali knew the lesson of resilience and perseverance was necessary, yet a part of her always worried about knocking a child’s confidence too soon. 

Then again, what did she know?  A handful of repressed memories from her youth weren’t much to go by.

When they’d fully emptied the box and put all of Kaya’s pieces on display across the counter Hali turned, letting its edge press against her back. “I’ve been meaning to thank you for letting her come hang out with me on the weekends,” she admitted. A soft smile quickly followed. For her, offering free lessons wasn’t any hardship. Especially not when it meant delightful company. “She’s a little firecracker, but so, so sweet.” 

Her eyes wandered back over, lingering long enough to catch his gaze. “You’ve done a wonderful job with her, Jase. Most kids could only hope to be so lucky.”