--&daddiesgirl

‘‘What, why? What makes you say that?”

( “Daddy’s cutting me off. Say’s I need to learn to be a responsible adult who can fend for herself, budget her money and pay her own way. I don’t know how to do any of that!” )

‘‘Yes, they are, thank you very much. Maybe it’s rubbing off on you.’‘

( “Or maybe I’m rubbing off on you...? Erratic and over-dramatic... aren’t they words you’ve used to describe me on occasion?” )

“Well, when you put it like that, anyone who doesn’t like weddings must be crazy, and that’s coming from me.”

( “I mean I can understand why some people might hate them, especially if theirs didn’t go to plan or they’re forever alone... might even hate a wedding if you were in love with whomever was getting married. But none of those things have ever happened to me, so I continue to love a good wedding!” )

“Oh, OH! Now I get it. What is your real name, or at least the one on your birth certificate? Because I’ve only ever heard people call you Izzy.”

( “Isabella. Very surprised you’ve never heard anyone call me that before - one of my dad’s is Italian and he was the one who picked my name, and pretty much refuses to call me anything else. You’ve met my dad’s - haven’t you?” )

‘‘It usually lasts for the most part of January then you get used to it.’‘

( “This new year sucks already...” )

‘‘Why are you like this?”

( “What logical and reasonable? Aren’t those usually your traits...” )

“… What name did you put if not your real first name?”

( “Izzy... It’s not my real name... Or at least it’s not the name on my birth certificate.” )

“I’m sorry, I didn’t plan it! I was just out and it kinda happened. ─ I didn’t know you liked weddings so much, though!”

( “I love weddings! They’re so much fun! Plus who turns down the chance to get all dressed up, drink champagne and dance until you want to take your shoes off?” )

“Haha, idiot. Get with the time Izzy bug, we’re in the future.” 

Throwing the pen at Atticus, Izzy pouted. ( “Do you always have to be a jerk?” )

“Why don’t you try writing it in pencil first? Then you wouldn’t have to redo it a bunch of times. What paperwork is it anyway? Could you not do it online?”

( “Because.... because that would be logical and I didn’t think of that obviously.” ) Izzy sighed heavily, dropping the pen on the table as she sulked. ( “Daddy said it was about time that things were in my name now, he said I’m an adult and I should be responsible for my own apartment... or something. If I could do it online I wouldn’t be having this issue, Ray.” )

‘‘Yeah, it’s official. This year has been going so well that it just almost ended in a damn fire of the apartment that’s not even mine to burn in the first place and not to mention my insurance would never cover it since I literally just tripped, broke the candelabra and ruined my own holiday. Happy Hanukkah, everybody!”

( “You’re being very dramatic. I bet it wasn’t even that bad.” )

Layla entered the coffee shop, immediately spotting a familiar head sitting on the couch. She still didn’t understand how it was possible, but one of her friends would always be sitting there at any given time of day, which was awesome for Layla who─ once again, forgot everything but her camera when she left the apartment. “So, I just crashed a wedding,” she beamed as she plopped down on the couch. “I think it was Greek, too, if that movie was true to the culture,” she wondered out loud, obviously talking about My Big Fat Greek Weeding. “How was your day?”

( “You gate crashed a wedding without me? Without even telling me? Without even consulting your wardrobe choice with me? Are we even friends? -- Who even are you?” )

“So you think I should lie to her? That’s not a very healthy start to any kind of relationship now, is it? I just refuse to indulge in idle conversation I cannot hold. Like, maybe I’ll compliment her heart and then what? And truth be told, her ears had perfect symmetry.” 

( “Of course you lie to her. Lying about her appearance is the foundation to any relationship with a woman. Start as you mean to go on. If your woman were to ask you if she looked fat in that dress, would you answer honestly and risk upsetting her, or lie and make her feel amazing in her body? Honesty isn’t always the best policy. It’ll also get you out the door on time, or at least quicker than if you tell her the truth.” ) Izzy took a sip of her cocktail, delicately holding the stem of the martini glass between her fingers. ( “Nobody said you had to indulge in idle chit chat, but maybe pick something a little less weird to focus on than the perfect symmetry of her ears.” )

“If I can prove to him that I’m able to pull this off, he’ll know we’re serious. It’s business, Iz.” Shrugging, Reagan placed their coffee orders before moving back to the couch and flopping down onto it. “I don’t see how it can be but I’ll take your word for it. You won’t be saying that when you have three teeth left at thirty but being called ‘mom’ made my ovaries shrivel up so let’s not go there.”

( “I know that. And if it were for business I’d wear the hell out of it too, but I just want it on record that regardless of any of the factors, I think it’s ugly as all hell.” ) Whilst Reagan was gone Izzy pulled out a compact mirror and her lipstick and began touching up the rogue color that stained her lips today. ( “I take exceptional care of my teeth, I floss twice daily - why would they fall out before I’m thirty?” ) She snapped the compact closed and gasped dramatically. ( “Don’t tell me you don’t want to be a mom?” )

Layla didn’t think her style was safe, if anything people have looked at her like she was crazy about some of the things she wore, but who was she to question the fashion authority around here? She shrugged her shoulders. “I love the galaxy, but wearing it on your legs is just bonkers.”

( “So was wearing mini skirts over jeans but we did that for quite a while with no regrets.” )