annika nystrom

#interaction ;; sam bradford #sam;;004 #event;;004 #end

Looking at him, Annika's heart skipped a beat and she leaned a bit into his touch. The amount of emotions that were coming through almost felt overwhelming. She felt some tears line her eyes and she tried blinking them away, but they got stuck on her eyelashes; making her vision a little watery. "I've missed you, too, Sam." She told him softly back and her heart ached. She took a breath before leaning in and kissing him softly. @samxbradford

samxbradford

Their closeness was a familiar one, like muscle memory and his heart beat notably inside his chest. It was a feeling Sam recognized. The comfort and ease that lifted the remnants of doubt that might have still clung to the recesses of his mind. And when Annika spoke, before leaning in to kiss him, to bridge the remaining distance between their lips, he could feel his heartbeat inside his entire body. Rarely had he ever been this sure about one thing. One person. Their kiss was a tender one, a soft one that spoke louder than the words they had exchanged. After a brief moment, Sam pulled back, blue eyes looking at Annika, before he leaned downward again, kissing her once more. @annikanystrom

END.

Dana's eyes were locked with Erik's when he turned to look at her. "Wow, aren't you just -" the retort quickly fell short when she heard Annika's distressed voice. "Annika!" Dana screamed her name, her feet felt like they were weighted in concrete as she tried to make her way closer to Annika. Dana's arms were just too short as she dropped to the ground, fingers reaching out to her best friend. "Annika, please, hold on, please," she was whispering the words before she turned her head, "Erik! Erik, help!" Time didn't feel real as she looked back to Annika, "Don't let go." @erikxnystrom

Time froze at the sound of his sister's distressed voice, his body instantly three times heavier as he hurried his way over. Common sense would have told him to approach carefully, the fragility of the ground his sister was clinging to an obvious to the matter but the fact it was his little sister threw caution to the wind as he threw himself down, crawling the last inches forward so he could reach over the ledge, fingers grasping the fabric around her wrist. "Grab my wrist!" He groaned, realising he didn't have proper grip. "Come on." @annikanystrom

#interaction ;; erik nystrom #interaction ;; dana allen lopez #erik;;006 #dana;;005 #// no gif because yeah

Dana's face came into view first, but being a little down the hole, she couldn't reach her best friend's hand. Her grip was increasingly getting worse and worse as the ledge continued to crumble and she kept adjusting to get a better one. Then Erik was there and he had some hold on her sleeve. She groaned as she tried to swing her other arm up to grab onto her brother, but each movement was making the ledge crumble more and she was scared if she let go completely to try to grab him with that hand, she'd fall into the darkness. "I'm trying." She said and she swung her legs a little to see if there was any chance she could get them on something to help boost herself up. However it was just air and there was no chance that was happening. Fear was starting to take over and tears were coming to her eyes. Once again, she tried to swing her arm up to grab her brother's wrist, but couldn't again.

Her eyes went wide as she felt the ledge finally give and her hand was no longer holding on and the grip her brother had on her sweater ripped. "Erik!" Annika screamed as she fell into the darkness. The fall was quick. Her body came into contact with a rock and pain shot through her body; a scream coming from her. She continued to fall a bit more, hitting her head as well, before landing at the bottom unconscious. @danaxallenlopez

"Yeah, you do love us." Dana repeated Annika, a smirk pulling the corners of her lips upward. She laughed quietly to herself as Annika told Erik to stop whining. She loved moments like this, where they were free and didn't have worries on their mind. It was exactly what Dana needed with the race season getting ready to gear up once and for all. "Ooo, Sam," the brunette teased, though she was fully up to date on the whole Annika and Sam story. She blew air over her lips, shaking her head at Erik. "Ha! You wish I'd flirt with you." Dana obviously teased once more, keeping her attention on him a moment longer. @annikanystrom

"Still some guy to me until he's proven he's good for my baby sister." Had Annika been in arm's reached, he would've done something embarrassing like tousle her hair. Instead he had to retort to a cheesy grin and a wink. "Ouch. You two are mean. I'm no longer hanging out with you girls. Erik scoffed, feigning insult, then turned to look at Dana. "If it were better than whatever that was, yes. But feel free to practice. I'll let you know when it hits the mark." @annikanystrom

#interaction ;; erik nystrom #interaction ;; dana allen lopez #erik;;006 #dana;;005

She rolled her eyes at her brother as he winked. "There's nothing to worry about." She moved her arms dramatically while she continued to walk backwards to look at her brother and Dana; tripping a little bit, but still walking fine. As the two of them talked about flirting, she made a face and shook her head. "Stop it. The thought of that is just dis-" Annika was cut off as she took a step back and fell through a hole. Not just any hole, the one she almost fell in during the earthquake. The one that she had warned people about over and over again over the last few months. The hole she knew about and knew the location of, but in her distraction, she forgot all about it. A scream came through her lips, but she was lucky enough to grab the ledge. "Erik! Dana! Pull me up! Please, pull me up!" She begged as she dangled there in the hole. Below her was complete darkness and the ground she was holding on to was crumbling beneath her fingers. @danaxallenlopez

"Might as well." She joked back and laughed a bit. She knew Dana loved her job and from what she knew of Julian, he did too. There was nothing wrong with that. Annika just missed her best friend when she was away, just like she missed her sister too. She watched as Dana wiggled her eyebrows and the blonde playfully rolled her eyes. "Yes, Sam." She said and smirked as she talked about him. "It's going very well. I can really see myself being with him again, you know? And I know it was bad towards the end, but things are different now. I... I love him, Dana. I always have and I know I always will." @danaxallenlopez

#interaction ;; dana allen lopez #dana;;004 #end

"I know you do." She smiled at her friend, reaching out and placing a hand atop of Annika's knee. "Love is a powerful thing." Not that Dana felt like she knew that from experience of herself but rather from watching others experience it themselves. "You better lock it in then," she teased, squeezing Annika's knee. "I want another excuse to dress up and of course, be your maid of honor." She teased, pulling her hand off Annika's knee. @annikanystrom

END.

marincole

"I love it when things like this happen." Marin smiled. She wasn't one that typically got excited about a lot - she'd never really had a reason to - but, something about this find and the other finding a cookie jar that she'd fallen in love with made Marin smile. "I don't typically find myself someone that loves hanging on to memories, but, I've recently gotten into this thing called 'junk journaling'. I saw a video on some social media app and I think it's so fun that I think maybe I could start that and frame it?" she shrugged. Now that she was saying it out loud she realized it sounded a little silly. Though she guessed it was no different than someone framing painted art. "Anyways, that cookie jar is so unique! Are you going to use it for cookies or something else?" @annikanystrom

#interaction ;; marin cole #marin;;001 #end

"Me too." Annika smiled and listened tot he woman; getting a little excited herself. "Oh, I know exactly what you're talking about!" She said a little loudly and reminded herself she was in a public place. "It looks like a lot of fun and honestly, that sounds like a brilliant idea. I've thought about doing junk journaling as well." She told her with a smile. Looking back at the jar, she shook her head. "Probably not. It'll probably just end up being cute decor for a shelf, but I really love it. I guess we'll see when I get home." She told the woman. "I hope your junk journaling turns out well. Happy thrifting." She said before walking away. @marincole

END

Dana rolled her eyes at Erik's words, but she wasn't genuinely offended by them. Laughter bubbled over her lips as Annika quickly shot a response back to Erilk before she could. "Yeah, you should know that by now. When the two of us are together, we are just trouble." They'd grown up that way and honestly, Dana just wanted Annika to have a good time. She knew that her best friend was upset that her sister bailed, again. "I'm sad to admit that I don't have any plans and that's actually really embarrassing. I mean, how is Erik cooler than me?" @erikxnystrom

"Oh, brother. Sometimes I wonder if I should stay away from you to deny being involved with anything you two are up to." Erik shook his head, turning again once Annika passed him by, continuing in his step when Dana had caught up. "You should be. She can be quite scary. Has got quite the arm on her too. But I bruise easily, so." He added, turning to Dana with a wink, then he pointed back towards Annika. "You seeing that guy from the masquerade again? Since dad won't be doing it, I require a full inspection of the lad. Protect your virtue and all." It was Dana's comment that got him to audibly gasp, his hand placed on his chest as he looked down at her. "Ouch, Et tu, Lopez? If this is you flirting, you're awfully bad at it." He mused, giving her a nudge against the arm. @annikanystrom

#interaction ;; erik nystrom #erik;;006 #interaction ;; dana allen lopez #dana;;005

She laughed a little bit at the interactions going on and rolled her eyes. "Please, you know you love us." Annika told her brother and shrugged. "You'll be fine. Stop whining." She shook her head and continued walking backwards so she could talk with Erik and Dana. She knew the trail well enough now over the years that she wasn't worried about stepping in the wrong place. "Yes, I am. And it's not just some guy. You know him already. It's Sam." She said, her smile increasing as she even said his name. Looking at Dana, she pouted a little. "Erik's not cooler than you. He just got lucky. You are still very much the coolest." She informed her. "You can always join Sam and I, if you'd like." @erikxnystrom

"Yeah, you might as well call us workaholics." Dana joked, knowing that that is in fact what they both were. The brunette adored her job and loved the people that she had met along the way. Julian Hawthorne had become so much more than someone that signed her paychecks and she was so much more than someone that kept his life in order. They were best friends, a brother she never had. "Ohhh, Sam, yeah?" She wiggled her brows playfully in the woman's direction. "I'm glad to hear that's still going well." She just wanted to see Annika happy at the end of the day. @annikanystrom

#interaction ;; dana allen lopez #dana;;004 #queued

dariusxnasser

"Thank you." Darius knew that there wasn't much else to be said around the loss of his parents. It had happened so long ago, he knew that it was just something he had to live with this at this point. But, he preferred to push it into the depths of himself and forget about it most days. Darius was a bit surprised, brows raising as the other woman said that she preferred a bit of predictability herself. "I'm surprised." He chuckled quietly. "I feel like most people I know like life to be spontaneous all the time." And Darius knew that for himself that would be stressful. There would be a lack of control that he would be craving. @annikanystrom

#interaction ;; darius nasser #darius;;001 #end #queued

She laughed a little and shrugged. "I like that sometimes. Stability is very nice, though." She said with a smile as they walked up the path a little more. "Besides, my twin definitely has the whole spontaneous thing covered for the two of us." Annika laughed a little bit. "One of us had to be the calm one." And it just turned out to be her; which she didn't mind one bit. It made things easier and she felt like she was leading a good life. @dariusxnasser

END

closed starter for @danaxallenlopez and @annikanystrom

"Come on ladies, it's already getting dark." Erik called out to them as he turned around, slowly continuing his way but only backwards so they could catch up with him. "Honestly, why is it that when the two of you are always together on a hike, its like you two are plotting something, like two naughty children in the back of a classroom." He snickered, all three of them knowing he was far from annoyed or frustrated and actually enjoyed moments like these. "I told Tanner I would be ready for a video call at six and if the two of you make me miss my deadline, I will tattle on the two of you."

#interaction ;; erik nystrom #erik;;006 #interaction ;; dana allen lopez #dana;;005

"Because we are plotting something, dear brother." Annika said with a smile as she walked side-by-side with Dana. She loved that the three of them were able to get out like this together. She had been itching for something like this, even if it was more to go somewhere outside of Kismet Harbor, but she'd settle for them hiking Kismet Overlook Trail; especially after Ingrid flaked, once again, on coming to town. She smirked as she moved faster and passed her brother a little on the trail and turned to look at him. "Oh, like I'm scared of your girlfriend. You're not the only one with plans, you know." She laughed, a little excitement racing through her as she thought about meeting up with Sam once they were back in town. @danaxallenlopez

samxbradford

Her head rested against his chest and Sam was reminded of a feeling not much unlike coming home. A closeness, a familiarity that was hard to shake or ignore and it was endless comfort that slowly spread throughout his body and mind. It calmed him, soothed any concerns he'd carried with him. And Annika's following words made his heart trip on a beat and he wondered if she could feel it, as close to him as she remained. Her smile, for a moment, rendered him deprived of any words to utter and he lifted his hand up, brought it to rest by her cheek. "I've missed you, Annie." His words were a whisper, the sincerest confession of all and it almost sounded like a request. @annikanystrom

#interaction ;; sam bradford #sam;;004 #event;;004

"No, I guess it wouldn't, but still, I don't love that she does that." In fact, she hated it, because she could see how much it bothered Annika even when her best friend was trying to hide it. "Of course. I will absolutely have it drawn up in a legal document." She smiled broadly at the other. "I know, I miss you, too. I'd say Julian is retiring soon but honestly, I'm not sure either of us are ready for that. At least not yet. You should come on some more trips this year, though, if you can." She told Annika, "Where are you thinking of going, if anywhere?" @annikanystrom

#interaction ;; dana allen lopez #dana;;004

She sighed and nodded. "You and me both." It was one of her least favorite qualities of her twin sister, but she did love her completely. She laughed and nodded. "Perfect. You're truly the best." She said and looked at Dana. "Yeah, I don't see that happening soon. I know you both like it too much." And she couldn't blame either of them. "I'll definitely will this summer. The second school is out, I'm all yours to travel with." Annika grinned over at her best friend. "Mmm maybe Italy. I've been thinking about Venice or Verona at lot. And maybe seeing if Sam would like to come with me." Things with Sam had definitely gotten to the point she wanted to spend every second with him. It was hard to deny the pull to her ex-boyfriend or the feelings that were still there and if she could, she would get him to go on a trip with her. @danaxallenlopez

Annika Nyström has uploaded a new Instagram post

Happiest of birthdays to my best friend, my girl, my ride or die. I love you, Dana!

feat. @danaxallenlopez

#annika nystrom ;; instagram #feat ;; dana allen lopez #queued

samxbradford

His smile widened as Annika accepted. There was an unspeakable happiness that whelmed as her fingers curled around his hand and Sam could feel his heart pounding against his chest. Feelings had never simmered, had never vanished for good and Sam suspected that he might never find another like her. That he had no interest in finding another soul to roam this realm with. It was her. It had been for years. As the music began to sound, he lead their bodies in a rhythm a closeness he'd missed for the longest time. And for a moment, a tender quiet spoke volumes, louder than any voice could and he felt happy. Truly happy, perhaps for the first time in a long time. @annikanystrom

#interaction ;; sam bradford #sam;;004 #event;;004 #queued

Being this close to Sam just felt right; as did everything with him. The feelings that had just lingered inside her for so long were easily coming back out and she didn't want to hide that. Annika missed him. It had been an ache in her body she didn't realize she was even having until being with him and everything just felt better. And right now, she felt that more than she had ever realized. For a few moments, Annika rested her head on his chest while they danced then slowly looked up at him and smiled. "I'm glad you're here. There's no one I'd rather be spending New Year's with." @samxbradford

dariusxnasser

"That's really interesting." Darius commented, unsure that he'd ever be able to partake in a lifestyle like that. He much preferred the structure of his own. It was safe and he had control in it. "That's pretty impressive if she's been there for a few months and that's the longest she's spent somewhere." Darius said with a shake of his head. "I don't think I would enjoy traveling that much." He chuckled softly. "Yeah. It was my parent's and it was left to me after their passing." Darius had begun making it his own in the last few years, trying to erase the past. "You and me both." He hadn't walked this trail enough but routine was far more his speed. "I like a bit of predictability." @annikanystrom

#interaction ;; darius nasser #darius;;001

She nodded. "I'm definitely surprised." She always wondered why her sister finally decided to settle down somewhere and yet, she couldn't come home. That was something she forced out of her head, though, and focused on the walk ahead. "I get it. I mean, I love it when I go, but I do like having somewhere to come home to." Even if right now she just wanted to travel. "Wow. I'm sorry for your loss." She had almost lost her father last year, or felt like that's where it was going, but luckily it didn't. "Me too most of the time. Sometimes i wanna be spontaneous, but most of the time I like things predictable." @dariusxnasser

Hearing Annika's words as she plopped down on the couch, Dana furrowed her dark brows. "I'm sorry she canceled again." She absolutely loved that Ingrid was off enjoying her life but she did wish that the other would make more of an effort to keep the plans that were made. "If you go and do that, I'll make sure to go with you." Dana said with a matter-of-fact tone. At Annika's statement, she smiled warmly at her best friend. "Of course I'm here. I know I travel a lot right now but it won't always be this way." Even if that was something Dana feared to some degree. "And you still can always go with us." @annikanystrom