open up your eyes

twenty-seven . music teacher . NOLA native . ❝ sometimes things get hard, sometimes they get so difficult that you don’t know where to put your hands, but that’s when you grit your teeth and be patient. ❞

[edenfords]

juliet-lovett:

Another stir of the creamer into her coffee, another long blink of her eyelids to try and fight off the grogginess of a restless night - for numerous reasons. Her laptop screen blurred in front of her steady gaze, her fiery red licks disheveled and mildly out of place from long, arduous hours of editing a shoot for the high school’s upcoming renovation project - a board meeting presentation that needed to be pristine. “Mm, good morning,” Juliet whispered to her new found company, downing a swig of the contents of her mug.

If there was ever a sure way to get Eden to want to crawl into a cave, it was asking for thoughts on a composition before it was finished. Not that it ever really was finished as far as she was concerned. Still, for all the nerves it caused her, she knew very well how much hearing a second opinion helped in getting over a block. Coming up beside the redhead, she hoped it wouldn’t be much trouble to steal away a minute of her time. “Good morning,” she greeted with a smile. Just as she was about to bring up her question, Eden noticed the laptop on the table. The apparent importance of the girl’s work, in combination with her sleepless look, was all the brunette needed to stop in her tracks. “Oh! Sorry, you’re busy with something... I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

[alina-aleksanders]

Yeah well, guess the only thing I’m meant for is a life of wallowing. That’s cool though, good for the writing.

[emmettandersvn-blog]

@edenford

[alina-aleksanders]

[emmettandersvn-blog]

@edenford

[onceland]

[edenfords]

Emmett lmao ☃

Eden’s reaction to getting hit with a snowball thrown by Emmett

It was a winter wonderland in July. As summer was coming to an end and with it the school-hosted summer camp, it’d been someone’s idea to close it out with the rental of a snow machine. Though her job as the elementary’s new music teacher didn’t officially start until the school year did, Eden had let herself be talked into joining the others for the day. It seemed like a good way to get herself used to the change in atmosphere, seeing as her last employment consisted of working with independent musicians in a tiny studio. With so many kids and their parents running around, she was doing her best to keep track of everything going on. Watching out for the occasional little one gone rogue. She was in the middle of being introduced to one of the high school’s English teachers when she was blindsided.

Initially expecting to turn around and find a kid no taller than three feet standing behind her, it was her surprise when she spotted the actual culprit. Standing off to the side, wearing an apologetic look on his face, Eden met eyes with the man who was opposite all her expectations. With the laughter of a child not too far from either of them, she put the pieces together and realized who might’ve been the actual target. Sending the male a wave and a smile, signaling it was all okay, she turned to the staff member beside her. “Who was that?” Clearly not having been paying attention, it takes them a second to figure out who she was talking about. “Anderson. He’s subs music at the high school, and elementary, sometimes.” Beaming at the mention of their shared subject, she turns to see if she still has a chance to introduce herself, only to find he was long gone. Maybe she’d get to meet him sometime.

( @emmettandersvn )

[silasatwater-blog]

                                After managing to have manoeuvred through the crowd without seeing Indiana, Silas was able to catch his breath. Through his nerves and wavering doubt, the male could feel the courage he had in speaking to her, dimish by the second. He was in dire need of a drink, moving towards the kitchen where he assumed the hard liquor would be. “Excuse me,” he mutters, passing through a couple. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Silas had never been one to care about couples and their PDA, but after what he had been through, and how close he had been to actually have something like that himself… he just couldn’t help but feel bitter.  It was then when the blonde lifted those blue eyes to search for a drink that he spotted Eden, in awe of having to run into her at such an ironic moment. He didn’t say anything at first, as the wave of nostalgia had hit him so hard, he had forgotten to speak. Instead, he gets closer, managing some effort in presenting a smile of sorts. “Hey—” he clears his throat, heaving a deep breath. “Eden… it’s been a while.” @edenford  

[edenfords]

So many people, too little of her. Though Eden was happy with the turn out for her best friend’s birthday, it was starting to feel like she was collecting half finished conversations. Standing in the middle of her kitchen with a girl who’d been looking for her significant other, she was prepared to add another to the list upon hearing someone approaching. Greeted instead with the sight of the last person she could have imagined, Eden stood frozen. Somehow in her time back she’d been clear of an encounter with him—not necessarily an easy feat considering his place of employment. Now there he stood, mere steps away, under the roof of her apartment. Could his eyes have gotten bluer? Shaken from her trance by the parting of the female beside her, she sent a wave before turning her attention back to the blond. “Silas.” She whispers, almost to herself, as if to check her voice. Not that it would've mattered whether he could hear the tinge of nerves with what would escape her next. “What are you doing here?” Perhaps it was the shock speaking, making her filter go completely out the window. In any case, her eyes widen as she immediately tries to clarify her reaction. “Not that you’re not welcome to be— I didn’t mean it like that. Sorry. I just didn’t...expect to see you here, is all.” Nervously biting on the inside of her lower lip, she lets out a quick sigh. So far, so...mediocre. “How are you? Can I get you a drink?” She hated this already. Resorting to small talk felt so unnatural, it was even worse having it be directed toward Silas of all people.

[edenfords]

lottie-lexington:

indianaharper:

       Spending the day with two of her very best friends rendered Indi completely content — away from the hustle and bustle that was her job, the general stresses of her daily life, and she could finally allow herself to feel an ounce of happiness without feeling super guilty, considering it was her birthday after all. Eden and Lottie were good at distracting her and ensuring she had a good time wherever they were, whatever they were doing. Glancing over at Eden from the back seat, after battling with Lottie to take the passenger seat to be more comfortable considering she was pregnant, Indi felt a smile ensue. “Well, that depends if you guys feel like a drink at the Beer Garden, or croissants and beignets at Bake It Pretty? And by the way, you two are the best.. thank you so much for taking me out today.” ( @lottie-lexington​ )

To say Charlotte was excited to spend the day with her two best friends would be a huge understatement. It was the first time the three of them were spending some quality time together since she moved back to New Orleans and the blonde couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic as memories of their roadtrips around the state flooded her mind. Charlotte didn’t bother arguing with Indiana when the brunette told her to take the passenger seat simply because she knew the other would win and because it was her birthday. The blonde slid into her seat and buckled up, adjusting the seat belt strap around her stomach until it wasn’t bothering her. “Well, seeing as how I can’t drink, I’m gonna go with Bake It Pretty.” She replied, grimacing lightly. “Besides, they croissants over there are mouth-watering good and I wouldn’t mind eating one or three.” She half-joked and chuckled softly, glancing at Eden’s direction before looking over her shoulder at Indiana. “You’re welcome,” Charlotte grinned, placing a hand on top of her friend’s. “There was no way we’d be apart when we’re finally all in the same city.” ( @edenford​ )

“Bake It Pretty and an order of three croissants coming right up.” She replied to the blonde, a giggle leaving her lips as she turned the corner in the right direction. Glancing back at the birthday girl through the rear view mirror, the girl offers a smile. “Char has a point, it’d be an offense not to.” They could have stayed in and binged a show through the afternoon, she couldn’t imagine either Lottie or herself letting the day pass without spending time with their friend. Even when they were younger and Eden was stuck at home with an injury, the girls hadn’t let the holidays go by without joining her in bed with cookies to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. It was with that thought, in combination with the way down which they were heading, that she was reminded of wanting to mention something. “Oh, before I forget! I’m going to need to recreate that picture of us in front of the bakery. The school’s doing door decorations and I got then and now as a theme. Which is hilarious just considering my oldest is nine, but anyway, I thought I’d use that old favorite for myself.” ( @indianaharper )

[edenfords]

indianaharper:

       A fit of laughter erupted from her core, ignoring the crimson warmth that had coloured her cheeks at the prospect of being watched during their serenade to one another. “Maybe next time!” An elated Indi yelled out the rolled down window, before turning around to snicker with her best friend as they drove off to find a parking space. Minutes later, the two were walking side by side down the sidewalk, Indi’s arm linked with Eden’s own. After noticing the hell of a lot of stares they were getting, highly likely due to the onesies they were wearing, she couldn’t help but make a face. “I’ve come to the conclusion that you do not wear onesies if you’re hoping to stay under the radar,” she laughs, pushing the door of the store open with one hand. “What did we come here to get again?” 

She noticed the look on her friend’s face before she did the ones on the passerby’s faces. Also probably why those kids were staring on the street, she thought to herself. “I think it’s the fact that their matching.” Eden grinned, as if it being otherwise would have made any difference. What might the people staring have thought if they knew what the two chose to do for a living, she wondered. Once in the store, faced with the task of remembering what the trip down was for, her face goes blank. It’s a couple of seconds of her jogging her memory before it all comes back. “W...affle mix. Yup. And while we’re here, ice cream!” Did she need it? Absolutely not, but why not take full advantage of the trip.

[edenfords]

lottie-lexington:

Charlotte’s expression lit up upon realizing the girl she’d called was, in fact, Eden. She hadn’t seen the other in person in what seemed to be forever, and Facetime calls could only be so much helpful. “Not really,” She replied. “I just wasn’t sure how many boxes would fit into the car.” She grimaced, casting a glance towards the trunk of her car before moving it back to her friend’s face. Charlotte watched as Eden tried to grab one of the boxes and chuckled at her words. “Sorry.” She said, nodding at her next words and approaching her friend. “Okay, let’s do this.” Charlotte gripped the bottom of the box and, immediately, her mother’s voice filled her mind. ‘Don’t carry anything too heavy, okay? We don’t want anything bad to happen to the baby.’ Elizabeth had said far too many times before Charlotte left their house. If only the older woman could see her right now, she’d probably throw a fit. But what you don’t know won’t hurt you, right?? Besides, it wasn’t like Charlotte was carrying the box on her own. She started walking backwards towards her house, glancing over her shoulder every now and then just to be sure she wouldn’t trip over anything. “You have no idea how glad I am to hear that.” She replied with a giggle. “They’re chocolate chip cookies, by the way. I woke up craving them, so I just had to make some.”

As they made their way inside, she tried to balance as much of the weight of the box as possible while looking out for anything that might get in her friend’s way. At her comment, Eden let out a giggle of her own. “Love you for not discouraging my sweet tooth, Char.” Of course she wasn’t always out stuffing her face with all things sugar and sweet. Especially not with her ex-dental hygienist of a mother’s cavity warnings sticking with her through adulthood. Still, she had a weakness even the memorized speeches couldn’t take from her. “Your chocolate chip cookies are gold, I really don’t blame you,” she said with a smile, thinking on how much she’d missed her best friend’s baking. It was when they set the box down where the blonde wanted, that Eden took a moment to look around. Admiring the house from the parts of it she could see, the girl couldn’t help but already love the feel of it. It was almost as though it’d been built to be a perfect fit for Charlotte, very inviting. “Plus, I bet your kitchen here is so cute it makes you wanna use it, cravings or not.” 

[edenfords]

talanzaretti:

“Encouraging.” Eyeing the cat, Talan still found himself footing a few steps back, just to be safe. He slowly nodded at Eden’s explanation, yet still gave the cat a small wave. “Sup Riley. We might need to establish a few rules around here.” Talan grinned, yet teasingly rolled his eyes, scoffing at Eden’s reaction. “Yeah, don’t judge. I mean, ok fine, a cat’s a ‘normal’ pet. I knew you’d actually love it though. Problem is, don’t really know a clue about taking care of it.” He shrugged, looking back down at the baby chick, somehow still nestled quietly.. “I don’t want to get lecture by a vet and reading up on it is probably just going to be if I lived on a farm. Which I used to see a lot of them, but don’t want to just send him off to one, that’s for damn sure.” 

Replacing her laugh with an innocent smile, she tried to figure out how to help him. Strange as the idea might be, Eden couldn’t imagine Talan being a bad pet owner. “Well, why don’t we go in there and try asking them. Though, maybe leave out the part about your apartment...” She might think the guys could manage, but if he was trying to avoid a lecture it probably wasn’t the best idea to mention where he called home. “They’re professionals, right? And it’s not illegal to have the little guy, so they should be able to answer your questions if all you’re doing is just trying to keep him alive and happy.”

[disappears-blog]

[silasatwater-blog]

👌

                       Under the stars, on the roof of his car with a blanket beneath them, out in the middle of nowhere… it had to be one of Silas’ favourite things to do. While the male wasn’t really a ‘look at the stars’ kind of guy, he often found himself drawn to this particular activity when shit just got too hard to endure. He turns his head as he observes Eden, eyes bloodshot as they were heavily mixing vices to their heart’s content. They both had their own demons— secrets that they’ve kept from each other. In a strange way, out here on a summer night, it was as if they were bearing it all without saying a single word. “I’m pretty sure stars are infinite, but… is it possible for them to be twice as infinite?” Silas slurs, squinting as his subconscious tries to fight off the vodka surfing through his veins. “Hey,” he turns soon after, cheeks red and his body warm. “Can I say something?” He tucks his arm behind his head, fingers tracing over hers as his vision begins to blur. “I’m happy— I’m sad, but I’m happy.” Silas wasn’t so sure if Eden could understand him— hell, he could hardly understand himself. “About this, about us… it’s almost perfect.”

[gifgreys]

Why would she ask that? I don’t know.

[talanzaretti]

@edenford + @ashcrking

[emmettandersvn-blog]

☞

For my muse’s reaction to accidentally slamming your muse’s hand in the door

Emmett was dreading going to work at the elementary school that morning. For one, there still seemed no end in sight with this job searching. For two, there was a certain person who likely didn’t want anything to do with him. For good reason. But god, did he need the money. So he couldn’t avoid taking the fill-in position for the day in one of the music classes. Running a hand through his hair, Emmett adjusted the strap of his bag through a heavy sigh and entered the teacher conference room for the morning. For something, he couldn’t quite put his finger on, had him not giving up on the potential opportunities regardless. His peripheral vision swore he caught sight of Eden and the realization waved over him that since they both were in music, the two had to sit next to one another. He took his seat, glancing over momentarily, just when the principal walked in, meeting starting. Probably for the best.

When finished, Emmett became immersed in the crowd filing out the door. He racked his mind to say something to Eden, but maybe words wouldn’t do any justice for what he’d done, what he’d caused, blind date or not. They certainly knew one another now… for all the opposite, wrong reasons. Albeit, Emmett still found himself trying to reach her. To him, she’d only mainly heard one side of the story. “Hey, can we –” He started upon approaching Eden’s side, grabbing onto the doorknob behind them out of likely suppressing how uncomfortable this would be. Instead, he only caught Eden’s shocked expression, noticing what he’d just done…only making things worse. Naturally. Holy..”Eden, ok, ok..just..” Emmett quickly shifted, adjusting the door to normal so her hand could get free, his own expression solely ghost-white. Now there really was no use. How many ‘accidents’ could she believe when it came to him? “Do you – Do you want to go to the nurse?” He stammered, thinking of the only thing that could potentially aid at the moment. { @edenford }

[edenfords]

✖ ✉: I don't know what I would've done if I hadn't've had you by my side all of those years. Thank you for being one of the most amazing friends I could ever ask for. Yours, Indi <3

Eden’s reaction to waking up in a hospital bed and finding Indi asleep in the chair beside her

( winter, age sixteen )

The last thing she remembered was the sound. Not the car, not the trees, only the sound of the impact. It was as though everything else had shut off as soon as the realization came that something was going to happen, no matter how fast her boyfriend swerved back onto the road. Flickering her eyes open, Eden let out a quiet groan as she became more aware not only of her surroundings but the pain in her abdomen. First it was the slow beeping of the heart rate monitor, then the IV drip in her arm. When her eyes finally adjusted to the florescent lights, she mustered up her energy to move. “Indi?,” she let out, barely above a whisper, with a sigh as she lay head back onto the bed. Eden felt bad waking the girl up, but seeing her friend in such an uncomfortable position felt worse. “Indi. Hey. In– You’re falling off that chair, sweetheart.” Her eyes felt heavy, but she did her best to keep them open. The nurse had to come soon, right? Maybe they could get Indi a pillow, at least. Ah. And she could ask about the pain. In an attempt to cover up her wincing, she pulled the corners of her lips up into a small smile. “I’m okay. I think I’m just sore. How long have you been here? Do you know where Matt is?”

Eden’s reaction to finding a cute love note from Indi

She almost wished that she hadn’t opened it during class, that she would’ve waited so calling her friend didn’t have to. But for one, the curiosity had been eating at her from the moment she saw the folded paper tucked in her purse. Then catching Indi’s name when first opening it made it impossible not to read. Something that was clear as day from the huge smile on her face, was how much her day was made by the contents of the note. So much so that it prompted one of her students’ curiosity. “Miss Ford, is that a letter from your boyfriend?” Eden, who hadn’t even noticed the little girl walk up to her desk, folded the note back up. Shaking her head, she very proudly shared who was responsible for her burst of happiness. “Even better. It’s from my best friend.” Naturally, her student grew excited, instantly looking to her own best friend on the other side of the room. “Oh! Like Kiera?” It was adorable watching the two interact, they were one of Eden’s favorite pairs of friends in that class. She’d never share that piece of information, of course. “Yes, like Kiera.” Taking note of the sheet music the girl had brought with her, she prompted, “Is that your piece?” Suddenly perked up as she remembered why she’d come to her teacher, the girl went on to explain her problem. Once they were done, before waking away, her student asked if she’d be writing back to “her Kiera”. An idea Eden made a mental note not to forget.

( @indianaharper )

[edenfords]

☞

Eden’s reaction to accidentally slamming Silas’ hand in the door

 After the morning she’d had with her parents, Eden wouldn’t have expected she’d be great company. Yet there she was walking down Magnolia, arm linked with Silas’, as lights started illuminating the bridge. She remembered having tried not making it a habit to end up with him when things got dark, some part of her mind telling her she shouldn’t be “that girl.” That all felt like an eternity in the past, as she had since found it much easier to lean into him and all his company had to offer. Lost in her own train of thought she didn’t hear what he said, only feeling as he let her go. Her look of confusion was answered as he reached his hand out in front of her. Car keys. Handing them over, she made her way to the passengers side.

His pained reaction came before any realization of what she’d just done. Not a second passed once she did, before her eyes were filled with panic and her hand was covering her mouth. “Silas!,” his name came muffled. Though she immediately pushed the door open, she wasn’t as quick to look at his hand for fear of how bad it might be. No no no. “Oh my god… That looks bad!” Reprimanding herself for saying the least helpful thing possible, she wanted to reiterate but the shock was too much. “Is it broken? Can you move it? Don’t move it! Or do? I don’t-” Breathe. She tried to calm herself, however, all that was occupying her mind in that moment was a stream of guilt mixed with the fear of having possibly just caused a fracture. “Okay. We need to go. Yeah, we need to go. Right now. Get in the car, I’m taking you to the ER.” Not really giving him a choice—mostly for her own peace of mind—she steps out and holds the door open until he switches with her, this time closing it as slowly as possible. Once making it around to the driver’s seat, she glances over to him, avoiding even a single glimpse at his hand. “I am so sorry. So, so sorry.”

[edenfords]

          After Eden found out about her adoption, wondering what her life might have been became a big habit. The thing that brought that to a halt without fail, was the reminder that she wouldn’t have some really important people in her life. People who have become like another family, who she is more grateful for than they could know.

Indiana Harper — portrayed by Nina Dobrev

From day one, offering words of encouragement to ease a young Eden’s pre-recital nerves, Indiana has been one of her greatest supporters—just as she has tried to be in return. As they got older their concerns were more in line with things like moving to a new city miles from home, or dealing with hardships within their family. Still, no matter what, there has never been a doubt they each would be there to offer a hand to hold or shoulder to lean on.

Charlotte Lexington — portrayed by Candice King

Her human embodiment of a ray of sunshine. Charlotte has held that special place in Eden’s heart for a long time, something about the blonde making the brunette feel warm and at home. That likely being the very reason she’s always been just a bit more protective of her in particular. Which is saying something considering how guarded Eden can get about those she loves when they show signs of being upset or in trouble.

Asher King — portrayed by Dominic Sherwood

The night they met Eden believed she had a good read on the blond judging on the way he carried himself. Luckily for her, she gave Asher the benefit of the doubt, as he turned out to be one of her favorite surprises. Being very amendment her whole life that she could take care of herself, she never would’ve thought she’d find herself welcoming his protective nature toward her with open arms.

( @indianaharper, @lottie-lexington, @ashcrking )