#causticcarson

* Belle walked straight in to the garage and in to the office without acknowledging anyone at first. She didn’t try to explain where she had been and why none of them could reach her for the past two weeks now. They knew she was going to Texas for a funeral but she had told them she would only be gone for a day or two but here she was two weeks later, strolling in like she hadn’t been away.  She did one final check of her make up - her war paint to hide her battle scars - and walked out in to the garage. “So what’ve I missed? What are we working on today?”

text @ carson

* “Happy Birthday, face that I never want to wear again!” She joked considering recent events. A bunch on balloons in hand as well as a bag of numerous alcohols and a big stupid button to claim it was his birthday.

* Belle made sure to pair her phone with her car so she could call Carson. “Hey are you free? I’m taking a drive so I can pick you up.” She started and didn’t let him even say a hello before she started rambling. “You’re not high or drunk, right?”

* Perhaps drinking wasn’t the best vice she could have chosen as a way of dealing with her problems but here she was anyway. She’d had a lot of whiskey but mostly because she knew she wasn’t working the next day. “Nope, you’re cut off. Who can I call to pick you up?” The bartender gave her a stern look. She put on some puppy eyes but clearly it wasn’t working. She got her phone out and looked in her contacts. “There’s Carson or...” Before she could find any more names, the bartender took her phone and started dialling. “O-okay but I’m fine. Tell him I’m fine!”

* Belle watched Mateo leave her office and closed the door behind him. She managed to find some tissue that didn’t have any oil on it and wiped her face. There was no way she could go back to work right now but she didn’t want to go out there looking like she had been crying. No one could blame her after the news she got but it was a pride thing. She was a boss and she couldn’t be seen as weak. She grabbed her keys and walked past Carson to the other mechanic and handed him the keys to the garage. “Hey, can you lock up and open up tomorrow please?” She said in an asking tone but was already handing him the keys. “Close up early if you need.” She told them both before walking away quite quickly. She’d got a couple of blocks before she felt that same not being able to breath sensation. Great, a panic attack: Just what she needed! She managed to get on her phone and tried to call Mila but only got a voicemail. Her back pressed against the wall and finally, she slid down it crying as quietly as she could in the hopes that no one would notice her.