magic hour .

━━ ⟢  RACHEL “REY” CORMIER.

BASICS ⟢

FULL NAME: Rachel Eve Cormier

NICKNAME: Rey

D.O.B / AGE: February 14th / 37

GENDER: Cisfemale

PRONOUNS: She/her

SEXUALITY: Bisexual

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Divorced 

HOMETOWN: New Orleans, Louisiana

OCCUPATION: Lawyer

NEIGHBORHOOD: Summit Lake

PETS: Gumbo, her dog she’s had since she was 24.

PERSONALITY ⟢

LIKES: Traveling, eating, watching scary movies

DISLIKES: Cleaning, cooking, bugs

POSITIVE TRAITS: Determined, confident

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Mean, impulsive

-

Dylan wished that she could allow herself to relax a bit more, it was partially the reason as to why she had moved out here, to try and push herself into that mindset, but with having to settle into a new job, she hadn’t had the opportunity to start. “Rey it is then,” she repeated before listening as the brunette mentioned Boston. Knowing that it had a similar energy to New York, she was glad that it seemed like she had a bit in common with the woman. “Yeah, that is certainly true, unless you’re being yelled at in some form in New York, you’re really not being spoken to at all.” She shook her head, laughing a bit again as she walked towards the vendor’s cash register slowly. “What parts are you living in? I’ve just moved into Claret Park.”

━━ ⟢

Rey walked over to the scale, weighing her fruit out before she would go pay towards the front of the tent. Her motions almost muscle memory at this point since she had been coming by to pick up her fruits and veggies here over the grocery store in town. “New York definitely has that kind of daily chaos,” she said and laughed as she heard her. She knew what that felt like being in Boston for the past couple of years. “Do you ever miss New York?” She asked her. Weighing the last of her fruit, she came back around approaching Dylan. “I’m in Summit Lake. I just moved a couple weeks ago,” she told her with a grin. “I’m a lawyer on a case in here. It’s not my typical scene,” she admitted with a giggle. “Do you like it here?”

. 

Having little interest in cooking these days, Alicia made her way to Basic Kneads after work. Nothing called to her more than the thought of garlic knots melting in her mouth after a long day. And she knew that Ben wouldn’t complain if he came home and found them for dinner either. She approached the counter, waiting in line after the woman in front of her, before the other spoke to her. “Oh, well, personally I am a massive fan of their garlic knots. They’re too good to be true.  Especially if you dip them in tomato sauce or their homemade signature garlic sauce. Best thing ever!” She announced with a smile before pointing towards the pizza menu. “But if you want a traditional pizza, then I’m always a fan of a classic  pepperoni or cheese pizza. They do a good veggie pizza too if you want to sneak in a few greens into the meal.”

━━ ⟢

Rey looked over at the brunette with a grin as she heard her mention the garlic knots. She had been eyeing them on the menu. She loved anything about bread having garlic and it was the safest choice, if anything. “Thank god,” she said, letting out a little huff of desperation and chuckled. “I’m definitely going to get an order of those,” she told her, listening to her rave about them. The thought of them was making her mouth salivate considering how hungry she was and pizza was always a guilty pleasure for her. “Amazing! I love veggie pizza and sometimes– people don’t know how to make a veggie pizza,” the brunette said and made a silly face. “Thank you, this was all very helpful for my stomach,” she said with a smile. 

“It’s cool, go ahead” The lawyer says standing behind the other woman, waiting in line. “my order is really large and it will take a while to get ready.” Her cousins had bring some friends home to play some games and she offered herself to buy them pizzas and sodas. “Besides, It’s one more reason to stay out of the house a little longer.” Charlotte crosses her arms and taps her chin, thinking on how she could help, since she was an regular costumer there"What kind of topping you usually asked? The pepperoni and mushrooms one is amazing. It’s safe choice, but if you are feeling brave, the jalapeños and beef is something interesting.“

━━ ⟢

Rey looked at her, giving her a smile and nodding her head. She was a little relieved she wasn’t holding her up, of course but at least she was a returning customer. It couldn’t be that bad. She brought her hand to her chin, hearing her suggestions. “You know, I’m a sucker for pepperoni,” she told her. “I think I’m going to go classic pepperoni this time. It’s my first time,” she said and moved closer to the front of the store. “Hey– have you ever tried the garlic knots? They look kind of good.” 

rey cormier

***

Val had spent so much time in various places that she found it hard to attach to any of them more than she had with Providence Peak. Detroit was nice, but it was big and wasn’t exactly the safest city. Her college town had been the same, but she’d barely lasted two years before she’d dropped out. Baton Rouge was home until it felt like the last place she ever wanted to be and then came California. It was an amazing few years, but nothing proved to be as home-like as Providence Peak had. “Yeah? Did you like it? I spent a few years there. I guess I didn’t realize how lucky I was to have a beach until I became landlocked,” she joked, running a lazy hand through wavy raven-colored locks. Brows lifted at the mention of Summit Lake; she’d drove through the neighborhood once and to say that she was impressed by the homes was a huge understatement. “It’s a nice neighborhood,” she complimented, though it was more like an amazing place for huge houses and lots of money. “Valerie, but you can just call me Val. It’s nice to meet you,” she greeted, bottom lip being tugged between teeth. “Since you’re new here, has anyone offered to give you the grand Providence Peak tour yet? Plenty to see, of course.” She was more so teasing, but if the other needed someone to show her around, Val had no problem volunteering. “I own a food truck, so I’ve basically scanned every inch of this city for the best spots.”

━━ ⟢

Rey dragged her hand through the water, finally taking off the t-shirt that covered the high waisted black swimsuit underneath. Her hands moved up to her brown wavy tresses, pulling them up into a high ponytail as she listened to the stranger. She enjoyed getting to know people, and anything that got her mind off her sadness would get her attention. As she heard her question, she sucked air in through her teeth as she thought about her time in California. It was where she met her now ex-husband. “It wasn’t too bad. I got to have a lot of fun in my twenty’s there, for sure. I’m kind of glad I didn’t stay there, though,” she told her, honestly. She enjoyed her time there and becoming a lawyer while she was hopelessly in love but life had chapters. “I like your name,” she told her, getting up and finally dipping into the pool. The cool water refreshing her as she came to the surface again. 

“No one’s offered just yet,” Rey told her with an enticed look on her features. “Sounds like you’re the kind of girl I should be after,” she said cheekily as she dipped under again. “What kind of food, Valerie?” The brunette inquired. 

-

Dylan couldn’t help but let out yet another laugh at the comment about being at the farmer’s market more than her own place. “I’d say the order would be work, my place, farmer’s market, but definitely work is the largest amount by far.” She found a sort of bond in the fact that Rachel was also new to the place, it made her feel less alone, just as when she met people who had just moved when she had to New York. A type of comradery of sorts. “Pleasure to meet ya as well, Rachel.” She took appreciation in the handshake, gladly giving a professional shake in return. Dylan gave a nod, “Yeah, it certainly is a lot slower ‘round here than y’know a city, but I think I quite enjoy that.” She offered, it felt like the half of New York she loved and the half of Valdosta she loved  combined into one location.

━━ ⟢

Rey smiled, an amused chuckle leaving her lips. She was definitely joking about the farmer’s market considering 98% of her life was spent working. It was one of the reasons her marriage failed in the first place. But, that still didn’t stop her ‘workaholic’ attitude. “Who needs to work when you can spend time choosing your next fruit?” She teased her with a toothy grin. She peered around to see if she had missed any opportunities of the fruit in front fo them as she heard her reiterate her name and her attention gathered on the female in front of her. “You can call me Rey, though,” she told her with a friendly grin.

“I agree,” she told her. “I came from Boston and it’s definitely way different,” she admitted with a laugh. “People actually stop and talk to me here!”

.

“It doesn’t have to be,” he said, as gently as possible and trying to keep his voice steady. “When did- how long have they… are you okay?” It was a stupid question, Charlie was well aware, but he didn’t know what else to say, what else to do. There were a million more stupid questions whizzing around his brain, begging to be answered but moving too fast for him to make any sense of them. He wanted to be angry that she’d come here without saying anything, that she was dropping this bombshell now out of nowhere and could get away with it because her parents were dead, to tell her that she had a habit of making life hard for herself when she didn’t have to, but he knew that was unfair. It was a cruel thought, but not a genuine one. She hadn’t done it on purpose. Even Rachel couldn’t control fate.

It wasn’t fair. Nothing about this was fair.

━━ ⟢

At one point, Charlie would’ve been the first person she’d call during moments like these. Admittedly, it took a lot out of her not to. Every day for the past year to tell him everything that had been happening in her life. Rachel was a strong woman, but she had grown to be a strong woman with him by her side. Everything she was, he watched her become since they met when she was a mere twenty-five years old. 

His words going in one ear and out the other as she sniffled, trying to hold her emotions in as she hadn’t had this conversation with him. It would never be easy for her to not be vulnerable in front of him. As much as she tried to protect herself, his presence cracked her shell every time. 

“I’m okay,” she told him again another lie. 

“Drunk driver,” the sad explanation leaving her. “Fled the country. Apparently somewhere in Europe,” a shaky breath as she fought back her emotions. 

rey cormier

***

“I’d even settle for a simple rum and coke, but extra ice is a must.” With the heat spiking, she needed something more than water to keep her cool. “I didn’t realize how much I’d miss the beach until it wasn’t an option anymore.” She’d loved California, mostly, but it was the beach she missed most on the hot days. At least there she could always manage to find a quiet spot without screaming kids and wandering eyes. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment the entire summer. I just moved here and I pass the pool almost everyday. It’s always packed, but now that school is in session,” she trailed off, knowing the other could clearly piece together the reason why. “Now I just want to try and enjoy it while it lasts.”

━━ ⟢

Rey looked out at the view of the olympic sized pool, placing her hands on her hips as she mentally prepared for her swim. Being a competitive person, even towards herself, always had her wondering how much she could push herself. Her eyes trailing back to the brunette as she spoke, a smile covered her features and she looked at her figure by the pool. She nodded, sitting at the edge of the pool and dipping her legs in. “You’re telling me,” she told her with a laugh. “I used to live in California,” she enlightened her with a grin, thinking of the happy memories from those days. She was a young girl falling love with her life. “I’m glad to be out of school, for sure then,” she told her and laughed. “Oh– really? I just moved here, too. To Summit Lake to be specific,” she told her. “I’m Rey, what’s your name?”

Cold washed over him. The brief anger that had surged in him sputtered and died, replaced by an awful ache.

“Your parents…” He took a step forward, reaching out a hand, then changed his mind at the last moment and pretended he was just bringing it up to run it through his hair.

Dead. They were dead. The old grapevine didn’t re hadn’t heard. He couldn’t say his feelings towards James and Ria Cormier had ever been warm, exactly, but he’d never wished them unwell.

“I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

It wasn’t much of an apology, but he didn’t know what else to say. He knew Rachel’s relationship with them had its struggles, but they were her family. He couldn’t imagine losing his own parents. Part of him wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her, tell her it would be alright and reassure him that he was there for her. But that was the old them. Times had changed. And if he was honest with himself, he was a little afraid of getting too close. It was overwhelming, her being here. Too much information at once. He didn’t know what to do with it all.

━━ ⟢

A heavy heart as she thought about her parents. While she grew up with a strong family, it didn’t necessarily mean they were stable. Her parents were cold people who wanted the best for their children, meaning their reputation being squeaky clean. She had a strict upbringing but it made her who she was. Their tragic endings for the Cormier family had left a dark cloud on her and her siblings. Especially with the latest news of her father’s affairs bringing bigger issues besides their gravestones. Her chocolate brown hues looking at his hand and heart heart fluttered a little, until it stopped as he reached for his tresses. Her gaze averting anywhere but his own as she once again, tried her best to not cry. This was the worst time to do this. 

“It’s okay,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes filled with water and her lip quivered as she looked at him. 

“Death is peaceful. Life is fucking hard,” Rey said, her words cracking as she spoke. 

Rachel was a foodie since she was a little girl. She loved trying new things, but she always gravitated towards the classics. Pizza was an important meal in her life and Providence Peak had to prove itself. As she found her way to the closest pizza place, she looked up at the menu to see the variety of options. Chewing on her bottom lip as she became indecisive about what she wanted. Plus, who knew how good it could be? She looked over at the figure standing close by, putting a hand out in front of her. “You should order first, I dunno’ what I want just yet,” she told them. 

“Any recommendations?”

.

At her words, he stopped in his tracks. A thick wave of rage, indignance and disbelief all mixed into one swept over him. Charlie wheeled around, pointing at her with an accusing finger.

“Are you kidding me right now?” He stalked back towards her, stopping only a few feet away. He couldn’t believe the audacity of her. She’d shown up here in the place that he lived, after a year of radio silence without even giving him the courtesy of a warning, and now she was accusing him of not caring. “You do not get to talk shit right now. You should’ve called! I’m not the one who doesn’t care.”

Everything about this situation felt too familiar, as though they were back in Boston and standing outside their old apartment yelling at each other over whatever new fight they’d picked. It set his teeth on edge. Of course she’d done this, he didn’t know why he was surprised. It wasn’t as though Rachel had ever been full of sympathy. 

━━ ⟢

As his voice grew louder, Rachel stood her ground and took it. While she hadn’t meant to rub him the wrong way within the first forty-five of seeing each other again, it wasn’t that surprising in the last few years of their interactions. They always seemed to bicker and butt heads as they grew older being with each other. She looked at him, trying to suppress anything she ever felt for the man in front of her. 

“Wow. Nice one,” she told him, a dead expression on her face. She hated it when he was passive aggressive. Especially, about how she felt about him. She cared more than he knew despite it all. 

Her arms crossed over her chest, a simple way of guarding herself and closing herself off. She didn’t ever imagine being in this position with him. 

“Called who? You?” She spat back. “What are you supposed to do? Bring my dead parents back buried six feet underground?” 

-

Seeing the smile from the other woman, she was glad that it had hit well, but when she countered with another pun, it was even more surprising as she laughed once more. She gave a little nod, relieved that she didn’t need to come up with another pun when she started to speak. “Yeah, I have come here a few times since I got here, if I’m being honest. I would it’s probably one of the only things I have really done,” Dylan shared before switching her bag from one hand to the other so she could hold her hand out, “I’m Dylan Westwick, I’m new in town, just got here about two weeks ago.”

━━ ⟢

Rachel continued plucking ripe pieces of fruit from the stand, piling them in her bag as she continued being tempted by the colors surrounding her. She loved fruit and depended on their easy versatility for meals sometimes. She nodded in agreement as she grabbed an avocado. “Yeah, I definitely know what you mean,” Rey told her. “I just moved here and I think I’ve been here than my own house,” she joked around. Pulling her bag up on her shoulder as it weighed down from the heaviness. 

“Nice to meet you, Dylan. I’m Rachel Cormier,” she introduced herself, taking her hand and giving her a firm shake. “I guess we’re both new to Providence Peak, huh?” She mused. “Enjoyin’ it so far?”

.

‘I work in Providence Peak now’.

No. No, no, no, no, no. Rachel’s words rung in his ears. She was working here. Here… in Providence Peak. In his city, the place that he’d come to escape all the drama and the heartbreak, and the pain of seeing her face after she’d left him. His fresh start. 

She couldn’t be here, and yet she was.

He was still trying to wrap his head around it when another patron pushed past them out of the shop. Charlie’s arm dropped, letting the door swing closed after the man and he continued to stare at her with his mouth agape.

“You’re- here?” It felt as though his brain had disconnected. A litany of thoughts and emotions whirled around inside of him. A decade they’d spent together, best friends, lovers, a well-oiled machine. An entire decade that she’d thrown out with no warning. She was the one who’d walked out. She was the one who’d asked for the door. 

And now she was here? Of all places.

Anger bubbled up inside him. 

“You know what? I can’t deal with this right now,” Charlie huffed, pushing past her and stomping down the street. Coffee could wait. He had some at home anyway. He planned on getting back to the apartment, turning up his stereo and screaming into a pillow until his voice cracked. Then maybe he’d call Luke and scream at him until he got some sympathy. Yes, that seemed like the mature way to deal with it.

━━ ⟢

His face said it all for Rey. She didn’t have to be close to him to know he absolutely disapproved about her presence in Providence. At least that made two of them. But she had always been career driven, and she loved what she did. This would be one of her biggest corporate cases and she was ready to win another challenge. She knew it may have seemed odd to be in the same place he was but– she was here to do her job, whether he liked it or not.

She understood his disbelief, her eyes remaining on his until there it was. He shut down. Something that she wasn’t surprised from but she didn’t understand why he had to do this right now at such early hours. Now, she stood here looking foolish as tears streamed down her face. Her anger taking over as she wiped away the wetness from her cheeks and she rolled her eyes at his reaction. 

“I’m here for a job. I’ll be gone before you know it,” she said as he walked away, ripping the door open and watching him. It was like déjà vu seeing him.

“And, next time– don’t ask me if you don’t actually care,” the brunette snapped a little. 

Oops. He knew who she was. Her attitude was always on the house. 

-

Hearing the small little pun, it made her laugh a bit as she took the peach, shaking her head a bit but more so in amusement than anything else. “Much appreciated,” she said. Turning towards some blueberries, gesturing as if to hand them to her, Dylan said, “And I hope your day is berry good too.” She knew that it would have made some people chuckle with that type of humor, and she hoped that from the little exchange they had just had, the brunette was one of those people.

━━ ⟢

Rey was a sucker for puns. She thought they were funny since she was a young girl, still being amused by the blonde bantering with her. She raised her eyebrows, giving her an impressed face as she continued. She laughed and grabbed an orange, bringing it up to her as she looked at her behind it, “Orange you just a sweetie?” She said, letting out another laugh and tossing it into her bag of fruits. She was glad she stopped at this stand. “This place always has the best fruit.” 

.

Of course this was happening. Charlie’s heart began to beat double-time. What else would a morning like this choose to throw at him? It was like a bad dream, Rachel standing before him like nothing had changed while he sweated out the last of the whiskey from his trip to the bar last night. It had been over a year since they’d last met in person, and suddenly he was back in time, caught in the memory of watching figure disappear in the rear-view mirror after packing the last of his things into the back of his car. He didn’t move. His feet had rooted to the spot and he was suddenly very aware of his tongue.

Why couldn’t she have chosen to appear on a different day? One where he was more put together and he’d remembered to shave?

“What are doing you, wait, no.” The words came out in a jumble, stumbling off his tongue in one rolled-up mess. He shook himself mentally, straightening up and looking her in the eye. Then, more clearly, he said, “What are you doing here?”

He found himself wishing he’d brought Artemis along on the running, at least then the dog’s leash would give him something to focus on. A fresh sweat had broken out across his skin and he shoved his hands anxiously into his hoodie pockets.

“Is something—has something happened? Is everyone okay?”

━━ ⟢

As he stood in his spot, the brunette’s face turned sour as he eyebrows furrowed. He was slowing down the process of getting her coffee. After being separated for this long from him, she wasn’t used to him slowing her groove down. She inhaled a little bit as it was finally time to face the truth. She couldn’t avoid him anymore, as much as she tried. They lived in the same city and that was already a one in a million chance. Rachel’s heart beat quickly as he questioned her, leading to the stinging feeling in her throat. Her eyes began to water and she blinked, trying to keep herself composed in front of the coffee place. 

God, she wanted a coffee so bad right now. 

“I work in Providence Peak right now. Everything’s fine,” she lied to him.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, her face fell flat as she couldn’t stop the tear from rolling down her face. She wiped it away, quickly and shook her head. 

“Don’t worry. It’s all okay.”

location: public pool in claret park

character: @providencepeakstarters​

With school back in session and the public pool basically empty, Valerie decided to do the most logical thing she could think of and actually go. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d taken a dip and after everything that had happened in the past few months, it felt much deserved. “Looks like I’m not the only person who decided that back to school was the best season to take a swim,” she joked lightly. “It’s not half bad when a lifeguard isn’t screaming ‘walk’ every five seconds.” It offered a little peace outside of the few younger children who either weren’t old enough to start yet or just hadn’t wanted to go. “The only thing that could make this day better would be a poolside open bar. Is that really too much to ask for?”

━━ ⟢

Rey had gotten the luxury of being near a beach most of her life. In college, she lived in California and, she got to embrace the nearby beaches during her time in Boston.  likeButProvidence Peak wasn’t known for its oceanside views. She made the best of it, deciding to take a trip and check out the public pool for a little swim work out. As she let out a sigh of relief that it wasn’t too packed, she looked over at the brunette and let out a chuckle. She nodded her head, “I know, right?” She agreed. “I could definitely go for a piña colada right now,” Rey said despite her next-steps being directed toward her fitness more. 

“But, I will definitely take a silent pool over chaos right now,” she admitted to her.