PARADISE

no one wants to hear you can't hold on to anything without tearing it apart. Isabella Lyon Twenty eight. Chef.

[lesliegentile]

          Ashlynn snorted, brow raised, “I’d be the shittiest cop in the damn world if I just left you here, wouldn’t I?” She flipped her badge out of her pocket to show such occupation since she was off duty, her vehicle not identifiable as somebody in the law force. It was best to have somebody be comfortable, especially when hopping into the car of a stranger. “Do we gotta wait for the tow?” She wondered aloud, instantly almost wincing at the thought of such a dumb question. “I don’t mind either way, really.”

[isabellalyon]

The phone was answered just in the middle of the woman’s words, but Isabella did understand what she was saying. The badge flashed at her made her sigh of relief --- even if only internally ---, but she held a hand up to indicate that she was speaking to a mechanic over the phone. Once Isabella had given their location --- which was to say in the middle of nowhere, beside a great tree just outside Nashville ---, and answered a few more questions required by the mechanic, the call ended and she once more turned to the woman with her.

“Oh, thank god you’re an officer,” she said in the most relieved tone. “I mean, better than a thief, right?” Isabella let out an awkward chuckle at this, and with it, realized she should not have said that. Either way, she shook her head. “And yes. Tow is coming. In a few minutes, they said. Thirty at most. I’m so sorry to be such a bother. I just--- I’m really glad I’m not stuck out here alone.”

[lesliegentile]

          Ashlynn snorted, brow raised, “I’d be the shittiest cop in the damn world if I just left you here, wouldn’t I?” She flipped her badge out of her pocket to show such occupation since she was off duty, her vehicle not identifiable as somebody in the law force. It was best to have somebody be comfortable, especially when hopping into the car of a stranger. “Do we gotta wait for the tow?” She wondered aloud, instantly almost wincing at the thought of such a dumb question. “I don’t mind either way, really.”

[isabellalyon]

The phone was answered just in the middle of the woman’s words, but Isabella did understand what she was saying. The badge flashed at her made her sigh of relief --- even if only internally ---, but she held a hand up to indicate that she was speaking to a mechanic over the phone. Once Isabella had given their location --- which was to say in the middle of nowhere, beside a great tree just outside Nashville ---, and answered a few more questions required by the mechanic, the call ended and she once more turned to the woman with her.

“Oh, thank god you’re an officer,” she said in the most relieved tone. “I mean, better than a thief, right?” Isabella let out an awkward chuckle at this, and with it, realized she should not have said that. Either way, she shook her head. “And yes. Tow is coming. In a few minutes, they said. Thirty at most. I’m so sorry to be such a bother. I just--- I’m really glad I’m not stuck out here alone.”

[isabellalyon]

Flashback: Send Me Off ☎ Dizzy

Dylan: "That's good. That's good," he repeated in a steadier tone, partially to reassure Hannah's friend but mostly to convince himself. /Alive and asleep./ Dylan let out a long breath he didn't know he was holding. "Oh. You must be /that/ Izzy." Hannah had mentioned her a few times, he recalled, especially during the first couple of months as she settled in. His mock-incredulous response had been 'How did you manage to find someone who puts up with your shit so fast?' — typical brotherly teasing aside, however, he was glad that his sister seemed to be faring well on her own. "Wish we could've talked under better circumstances, but... Well. Shit." A short laughter escaped his throat. It was more of a huff of breath than a laugh, humorless and hollow and resigned, yet not without a hint of relief. "I should, uh, probably let our parents know — and thanks for calling, /really/," he stressed. "If anything happens before I get there — I hope not, but if something comes up, call me, yeah?"

Isabella: "Okay." Nothing was okay. In this moment, one of her best friends was confined in the hospital; her hands were shaking; and fear was looming over her head. But, this was the best Isabella could do. This was the best she could say. As she said it, she nodded and pursed her lips into a tight line. "Okay," she said again, more to convince herself than anything. "I will call just in case. I'll see you in two days, and hopefully Hannah will be okay by then." Isabella knew this was a long shot, but she had to hope --- and, in the same breath, keep Hannah's brother hoping.

End.

[isabellalyon]

Text 💬 Mason & Isabella

Mason: I knew what you meant, I used to watch that show as a kid. It's an iconic episode.

Mason: Hey, I thought it was funny.

Mason: A do-over? Alright.

Mason: Hey, Isabella, how are you?

Isabella: Iconic is right, RIGHT? Spongebob is where the party's at.

Isabella: I'm sure you say that to all the girls.

Isabella: I'm good, actually! I'm not dead or in the hospital, so that means good things. Ha. How about you?

[isabellalyon]

Text 💬 Mason & Isabella

Mason: Hey, this is Mason, the guy from The Stillery.

Mason: This is Isabella, right?

Isabella: No, this is Patrick.

Isabella: I'm kidding! This is Isabella! That was a Spongebob reference, in case you didn't know.

Isabella: I can't believe I just gave you a SPONGEBOB REFERENCE??? WHY???

Isabella: Ugh, that was so embarrasing.

Isabella: Let's try again! Hi! Yes, this is Isabella!

[vivianthewolff-deactivated20161]

Those have been less obvious things to notice about them, and also she didn’t know how long had it been since Izzy had last seen Lucy, otherwise the girl would know Lucy’s hair was a long longer and darker than hers. But the two Wolff sisters were as different as they could be, and someone like Isabella could point that out for sure. It was always nice having people in the food industry around, their opinions on the menu and their drinks was extremely important to Vivian, especially if coming from a friend. The smile on Izzy’s face was enough of a compliment and Viv sat back on her chair satisfied, crossing her leg and running hand through her hair.

“One of the coffee machines was having issues, the thing blew up on me, fell on my arm.” Vivian explained, subconsciously patting the bandages and then resting her hands on her lap. Listening to Izzy’s story, Vivian burst into laughter, imagining the little blonde lost in the middle of nowhere. “I’m sorry to laugh, you’re such a tiny little thing, must have been the funniest thing.” Viv tried to apologize but didn’t do well with that. When Isabella spoke of the Christmas parties, Vivian almost jumped. ‘Oh yes, a Christmas parties, I’ve been thinking about throwing one here, I was going to talk to Liv and Lucy about it… Should I reserve a date already? In case you guys get too busy and I miss my chance.”

[isabellalyon]

A soft apologetic look took over Isabella’s face at Vivian’s explanation of what had happened to her. Over all the years she’d worked in kitchens, she, too, had had her fair share of kitchen-related accidents. And so, Isabella understood it was not at all a pretty sight. “Did you have it checked?” she asked, “or was it one of those things you could run cold water over? Hopefully it’s not too bad?” Even now, the look on Isabella’s face was worried. “If it helps, I could put my signature on your bandage and that’ll make it about”---she paused, as though she was thinking---”a hundred percent better!” Of course, Isabella was joking now; her laugh escalated when Vivian began to laugh, too --- though, much more at her story than at her joke.

“It was horrible, Viv!” Isabella exclaimed. “I was trapped there for god knows how long, without phone reception, and without anybody! Thankfully, somebody nice came along and helped me get back. Took the car to Kincaid’s, after that. It wasn’t pretty, but… I think it’ll be all right. Fingers crossed!” Isabella shook her head as a small laugh escaped her lips then, and afterwards, drank some of her drink as Vivian spoke.

While Vivian jumped at the thought of Christmas parties, Isabella could only feel herself revolting inside. Once upon a time, the thought of Christmas was a good one --- happy memories all bundled up in sweaters and white, white snow. After her mother died, nothing stayed the same. The white turned bland. The sweaters were far too itchy. And the memories? They were far from happy or gleeful. Still, Isabella had learned to mask her sadness. It would be three years since her mother’s death now, and since, she’d adopted to the smiling face she put on. The one she had to put on.

And there it was: the smile. With it was a nod. “Mhm, I suggest booking a date already!” The enthusiasm in her voice was unparalleled; anyone would think it was real. “It gets busier closer to December, so if you book sometime around the… end of September? I think you should still be good!” She smiled at Vivian. “A Christmas party here would be so lovely, you know. I can already see the lights and hear the music.”

[lilywhittaker-blog]

All in all, the night hadn’t been a total disaster. Okay, that was a slight understatement – the night had been a fucking success. It hadn’t even come close to a disaster, not even when one of the dancers were a person both Iz and Liv seemed to know outside of this scene (although in different ways, if Liv had to guess). The birthday girl had needed a bit of prodding and pushing, but eventually both Liv and the rest of their friends had been able to fold back as Isabella started to enjoy herself around the establishment, and so it was with a smile that Liv had found herself a drink and joined their friends in a chorus meant to egg their friend on. All in all, the night was a huge fucking success. Once Isabella – and the rest of their friends – were drunk enough, everything had flowed smoothly, and Liv, being the most sober of them, had been able to keep an eye on everything and make sure everyone had a good time. Isabella especially. As with all companies full of drunk women, Liv sooner or later found herself accompanying many of them to the restrooms – including Isabella. And, as drunk people tended to behave, Liv wasn’t very shocked that Isabella clung to her as though she’d drown without her. Though looking a little like a mother who was trying to keep their toddler in line, Liv nonetheless had a pursed smile on her lips. “Ahaa-ooow! Ow, watch the ear there, Iz, watch the ear!” she scolded her friend, chuckling as she grimaced in pain and leaned away from her friend’s mouth. “’Course I threw you this party, what’d you think? I’d not throw you a birthday party? I mean, your self-important little ass could definitely use the reality check, but there’s no way I’m not throwing a party for my best friend on her birthday.” Liv hoisted her arm further up Isabella’s, to make sure she remained steady. “Who do you think I am?!”

[isabellalyon]

Had Isabella been sober, she would have been offended --- though not really --- that Liv had called her ass self-important. She would have given a small indignant look and a little scoff, and then carried on with the rest of her night with the attempt to think of some equally as not-offending-but-offending comeback. And it was so often that Isabella Lyon was sober. It was so often that she kept to herself, uptight and self-important and riled up and worried. She was not the type of person to drink too much, and she had never been the type of person to allow herself to let loose in functions like these.

And yet, here she was: not sober, not slightly offended. Instead, she was drunk with alcohol and fun, and giddy with something in the pit of her stomach. Her lips had turned up into a semi-permanent sloppy smile, as though she would not regret this in the morning. The thought of morning did not even occur to her, at that! Right now, it was this party and herself and Remy in shorts too tight and Liv. But, mostly, it was Liv. Mostly, it was the sound of Liv’s voice and the look on Liv’s face and the way everything seemed to brighten up when she was around.

Nothing was funny, but Isabella laughed anyway. A small giggle escaped her when Liv moved away from her, though it turned into good-hearted laughter when her friend continued to speak. “Reality check is for loooosers,” Isabella slurred in a twelve year old fashion even though she was a twenty eight year old woman, “and I’m not a loser.” She laughed. “Maybe only sometimes, but not all the time. You just called me your BFF, so I can’t be a loser. Losers don’t sit with us.” Isabella said these as if they were all matter of fact, and not something that a drunk version of herself would only say.

“Did you drink, by the way?” she asked in that slur of hers as soon as they reached the bar counter in their walk. “You should! You are too sober right now! It’s time to party, Liv!” With that, Isabella untangled herself from her best friend in an attempt to grab her a drink from the bar. But Isabella was Isabella --- a lightweight and unable to carry herself in such a situation ---, and so it only took two seconds before she waved her hands around and tried to grab for Liv.

In reality, she was reaching for air.

[isabellalyon]

Flashback: Send Me Off ☎ Dizzy

Dylan: "/Christ./" An accident. He gulped once, trying to ease the tightening of his throat to no avail. Putting the phone on speaker mode as the girl continued to talk, he walked toward his laptop on the kitchen counter in quick strides, keys clicking softly as he searched for last minute flights to Nashville. "When did this happen? Do you know? How — how bad is it?" he asked, voice straining at the last question. (Breathe in, breathe out. Keep calm. One problem at a time.) "I'm booking my flight right now — I'll be there in two days," he added, running a hand through his hair. Next: contact Dr. Held, let her know he'd be gone for a few days. Pack. Call parents. (/Call parents./ That was gonna go down well.) "Hey, it's alright, it's all good. I'm guessing you're Hannah's friend? What's your name?"

Isabella: It was fortunate that the man on the other end of the phone was much calmer than Isabella was. Had they /both/ been panicking, Isabella was quite certain that she'd start crying again. The calm of his voice, however, helped her to keep composure --- for the moment. "It-- It was this morning. I-- I don't know how bad it is but she's in the hospital now. She's asleep. She's... She's alive, so that's something." Isabella had to hold onto this truth. She /had/ to. "And okay. Two days. Okay. I'm --- Isabella. Izzy. Yeah, Hannah and I are close." She paused. "I should probably tell her you're coming over. Once she wakes up, I will."

[isabellalyon]

Flashback: Send Me Off ☎ Dizzy

Dylan: [A crying girl, who was definitely not his sister, and Hannah's name. That was all he'd managed to catch from the frantic voicemail. His mind was threatening to jump to the worst conclusions, notions he didn't even want to entertain for a second — still, Dylan was a /doctor/, and his voice only wavered a little as he addressed whoever was on the other end.] Hello — Hannah? Where's Hannah? What happened?

Isabella: It was a difficult thing to be so bundled up with worry, but it was more difficult for Hannah on the other end of all this if no one should worry for her. So, Isabella worried for her best friend. Who else would do it, if not her? However, she knew she couldn't carry this alone. She had to call somebody, and so she had --- without Hannah's permission. Now that things had calmed down though, Isabella realized her call hadn't been all that informative /or/ proper; she was glad to finally talk to Dylan without all the adrenaline rushing through her. "Sorry about the, uh -- the -- previous call. I --- Well, Hannah, she got into an accident." Isabella paused so Dylan could take this in. "I don't know how it happened, I just know it did. I was on speed dial, so someone called me and I came rushing and---" As she spoke, she could feel her heart getting heavy again.

[aintycurdad-deactivated20161030]

The last week and a half had been intense for Karina. Having not only been made manager at the shop recently, she had so many other things going on that she lost track of who she’d spoken to and hadn’t. From still reeling from her recent break-up to the three day adventure she’d held with her new friend, Karina was recovering. Still, she knew that wasn’t an excuse for allowing her friendship with Isabella to fall to the wayside. There wasn’t a proper excuse for something like that and she knew that she’d have to apologize, she just figured she’d do it on the weekend with chocolate, alcohol and one of Isabella’s favorite films. 

Karina had just arrived home from a trip to the gym, even donned her shorts, a work-out shirt and her hair in a high pony tail. She was in the middle of preparing tomorrow’s lunch for work when her phone rang a familiar melody. The brunette took a double take as she tried to figure out where in the world she’d placed her phone. Once she located it, on the charger where she’d left it twenty minutes prior, Karina answered the phone.

Karina had barely been able to greet her as she spoke quickly, Karina laughed. “Hi!” was all she’d been able to get out as the blonde continued on in excitement. “If you are calling me to tell me you got hitched just know that I’m upset – I would’ve made the perfect maid of honor.” She clutched the phone between her shoulder and ear as she continued on with what she was doing before.

“Did you find a cute dog? Did you find me a cute dog?” She had no idea what this surprise would be, but she figured it wasn’t that. Still, a girl could dream. “Let’s see. Did you get your hair done or win some concert tickets? If you’re going to meet Oscar Isaac, you know you have to take me.”

[isabellalyon]

To other people, Isabella was a shy thing. She was a fragile thing. A breakable, bendable thing. She was soft, which people took to mean that she could be stepped on. She was meek, which people thought to take as something negative. While she was all these things, she was not only these things. She was more than a shy thing, a fragile thing. She was breakable and bendable, but she had some spine, too. The ways of life had taught her to stand on her two feet, and so she had. The ways of life taught her that to be bendable in a cruel world like this was no way to be. Other people did not see this, though. Other people saw her blonde hair, her green eyes, and then deemed she was one thing.

With Karina, she was herself. Karina knew the faults that lay within, the secrets that Isabella kept. And, more than these, Karina knew how to be strong when Isabella was weak, and how to celebrate when Isabella was strong. Her best friends were her best friends for reasons, after all --- and, with them, Karina being one, Isabella was able to laugh and cry and guffaw all she wanted without fear they would turn away. She might not have a brother like Hannah did, or a sister like Liv and Karina did, but she had best friends. They, too, were family.

And so, a loud laugh escaped Isabella at the sound of Karina’s voice on the other end of the line. How she’d missed these conversations! How she’d missed being able to open up to her best friend! Liv was great company, but she was company with the company --- and thus, she and Isabella almost always ended up fighting. It was nice to just laugh at something without fear of being told she was laughing wrongly.

“How’d you guess so easily? How’d you guess I got hitched? Am I that transparent? Wait, wait --- you saw it on Facebook, right? Facebook totally told you.” Even as she spoke, Isabella laughed. “But, I did see a cute dog. Not for you or me, but… I saw one either way. And okay, this thing that happened isn’t that huge! Okay! Someone asked me out. Name’s Mason. Real cute.”

For a moment, Isabella paused. She wondered if this was okay to talk about. She wondered if Karina would be offended. Instead of just wondering, though, she voiced her concerns. “You okay to talk about this? I mean, you know, after you and ---”

She didn’t need to mention any names, but Karina knew who she was talking about.

[vivianthewolff-deactivated20161]

The blush on the blonde’s cheeks made Vivian laugh, absolutely enchanted by her reaction. Every single client - without fail - had already mixed up the sisters, to the point where they started making up stories about being twins, about past lives and all kinds of nonsense they could come up with. Isabella was just too cute! Closest friends tell them apart with one look, her parents didn’t even think they were so alike, but the mess up with completely understandable, especially since Vivian and Izzy hadn’t seen each other in a while and Izzy had had much more contact with Lucy in the past. “It’s alright, honey, really. Easy mistake, we are clones.” She mocked, chuckling. “Always look at the jaw first, mine is a lot wider than Lucy’s. And my eyes are darker too.” She nodded, trying to find more differences but unable to do so.

“My specialty then.” She laughed, going to the back counter and coming back after a couple minutes with a big mug filled with her special drink, Nutella spread over the edge of the mug. “There you go, love. You got it, Lucy and I are having dinner later, I’ll let her know. She loves it with people mix us up.” Vivian grinned, taking a seat across from Izzy. “I’ve been alright, a few bumps here and there.” She gestured to her bandaged arm, the burns almost fully healed. “What about you? I haven’t seen you in ages! Liv says the business is doing great, right?”

[isabellalyon]

There was a small laugh that escaped Isabella when Vivian taught her where to look first. The jaw, the eyes. These were things unnoticable upon first glance, of course, but Isabella nodded all the same and agreed to Vivian’s words. Now that they were talking, however, Isabella could tell it was Vivian she was talking to. Lucy had a different way with words, a different way of smiling, a different way of being around Isabella; these were things that she simply noticed. She did not air them out into words, though. Instead, she nodded along and agreed when the specialty was mentioned.

It took a few minutes, but Isabella was patient when it came to food and beverage. She knew the process and the thought that went into making the perfect dish or drink, and how difficult it was to put in all these things whilst being rushed. As a member of the service industry herself, she knew the things one could do to food should they be wronged, and thus she knew not to wrong those who prepared hers. When Vivian came back, there was a smile on her lips at the simple thought of indulging in the drink on a day off. It was exactly what she needed. A little sip could go a long way.

As soon as the drink was handed to her, Isabella found a table close enough to the cashier that she didn’t have to walk too much, and watched as Vivian sat down across her.

Her friend’s gesture towards her own arm made Isabella look with shock down at the bandage. “What happened? Are you okay?” Though Vivian smiled now, Isabella couldn’t help but worry. “But ah, I know about bumps here and there. Not literal ones as of late--- wait, no. Actually, a literal one. On my last day off, I tried to take a mini road trip and ended up getting stranded in the middle of nowhere!” The thought now made her laugh.

At the mention of Liv, though, Isabella nodded. Of course, there was no need to tell Vivian that Isabella and Liv fought and bickered about everything and anything under the sun when it came to the business, and there was also no need to tell her that Liv was a great pain in the ass. And so, Isabella nodded her head once more and said, “Yeah! It is! We’re --- getting lots of reservations. I assume there’ll be more during December. Christmas parties and all that!”

[masonjancs-deactivated20161006]

            A smile was brought to his lips at her one-word reply, the male furrowing his free hand into his pocket while licking his lips, only then to look down towards the ground. A pink tint reached his cheeks, and he decided very quickly that he sincerely liked the woman. She seemed to be just his type: blonde, sweet and pristine to the bone. He hadn’t dated a lot, actually. It had been since high school when he had his last girlfriend, his years in the service getting in the way as well as the ( wondrous ) hiccup that his daughter getting in the way of his love life. Finally, settling down he was now able to be devoted to five things: himself, his church, his daughter, his job, and finding a woman to hopefully, spend the rest of his life with. Mason then nodded, looking back up to her as she told him once again that he was ‘funny’, the rosebud shade still attached to his cheekbones, “I was going more along the lines of ridiculous, but I’ll take it.” He teased, poking fun at himself.

            “Alright,” His tone was submissive as if he would bend and break and turn to any direction she wanted at the moment. Luckily for him, it was only just an emoji she wanted. His jaw clenched, a small smile upon his lips, divots falling into place up either cheek through the mannerism, “–sounds easy enough.” The male played along, raising his shoulders, before he allowed a hand to pull out of his pocket, taking the phone back. His fingers, long and rough rested under her own for a passing moment through the casual transaction, his eyes instantly inspecting the device. He shut the screen off and looked back at her, the pair at her car now, “I’ll text you,” He told her, “– Isabella with a smiley face.” The blonde then teased, taking a step back, trying to suppress a grin.

[isabellalyon]

Isabella Lyon did not date very much after what happened with Braxton. He had given her a life she’d only dreamed of, a life to look forward to --- and then he snatched it all away with one decision. When he left, he took a part of her with him. A part of her that couldn’t grow back, not even after all the time that had passed. It had been eight years since, but it had changed Isabella as a person. She already sunk within herself, already though she was unlovable; Brax leaving only intensified these thoughts.

She didn’t give anyone enough of a chance these days --- herself most of all. But, as she looked up at the man and took in the smile on his face, Isabella decided that she would today. She didn’t know what it was, didn’t know what this man had, didn’t know what she was going to lose, but she had to try. As the man smiled down back at her, a feeling in her stomach said it might be worth it.

“Isabella with a smiley face,” she said, “that’s me.” A small giggle escaped her. “Yeah--- I’ll, um, wait! It’s very nice to meet you!” With that, Isabella opened her car door and let out another small giggle before driving away. 

[vivianthewolff-deactivated20161]

Vivian was beyond used to being mixed up for her sister, she’d have twenty six years of that. Although the two years separation, Vivian and Lucille Wolff could easily be mistaken by twins and the two sure used that to their advantage when they were still in school. Most of the costumers at the cafe had mistaken one sister by the other at least once, so when Isabella came in already blabbering, Vivian couldn’t help but smile politely. She knew her, she had recognized her adorable smile from a few years back, helping Lucy out on one of her jobs before her baby sister had gotten her own baking business. Nashville wasn’t that big that she’d never get to bump into Isabella again, and Vivian smiled at the woman, finishing up one of the drinks she was making to another client before she approached the counter and the blonde.

For a moment Viv thought Isabella had recognized her; the two of them truly had gone over a year without seeing each other. But when the woman mentioned her ‘specialty’, she realized it was the other Wolff girl. “My spe..” She started, then chuckling and tilting her head to the side. “Wrong Wolff sister, Izzy. I’m Vivian” The blonde brought a hand to her heart, laughing lightly. The cafe didn’t have a specialty, not and edible one that ones. Their true famous drink was Vivian’s specialty, the hazelnut mocha, and she doubted Isabella wanted one of those plus a cup of coffee. “I can get you my specialty though, but it would be wise if you ditched the coffee with that.” She laughed.

[isabellalyon]

Wrong Wolff sister, Izzy.

As soon as these words reached her ears, Isabella felt heat and color rush up to her face. The way Vivian laughed and smiled told Isabella that it was okay, that she hadn’t made a grave mistake, but all the same, Isabella couldn’t help but put her hands to her face in embarrassment. In her defense, they did look alike! In her defense, they were like two peas in a pod when it came to facial structure! Still though, one would think a friend --- like Isabella liked to call herself in relation to both Vivian and Lucy --- would know! One would think a friend would be able to tell the difference! The fact that Isabella wasn’t able to made her give a little whine from behind her hands.

Like there almost always was when it came to embarrassing situations, an embarrassed smile appeared on Isabella’s face. As she spoke, it became evident in her voice. “Oh, no!” She shook her head and peeked through her fingers. “I’m so, so, sorry. I totally did not mean that. You do look so alike, and I just thought  that --- I just --- I don’t know! I’m so, so sorry!” The embarrassed smile on Isabella’s lips grew, as did the embarrassment, but somehow, that was okay. It was okay to be this way in front of Vivian --- someone she considered a friend and someone who could laugh about it with her. Had this person been a stranger, Isabella would not have known what to do.

Though the red didn’t ease, and the embarrassment didn’t go away, Isabella took a deep breath and put her hands back down to her sides before she nodded her head in agreement. “That--- That would be lovely, Viv. Just pretend nothing happened, and I ordered your specialty the first time.” Isabella managed to laugh at herself. “Tell Lucy I did say hi, though! She’d laugh at this situation!” With a shake of her head and another deep breath, Isabella looked to Vivian and said, “How have you been, then? Talking to Vivian now. Not Lucy, nope!”

[tantaliscd-blog]

Remy knew how to work the stage, how to work an audience. He had been in the game long enough to know what worked and what didn’t. It was all an act, both for him and the woman he danced for. It was one night to play out their fantasies and then they would go home again, back to their lives and go on as if their night together had never happened. Since it was one night only, it was a time to play up to the fantasies of the people in the audience. A fireman saving the day; a construction working getting a little handsy with his tools; or like on this occasion, a police officer come to arrest an innocent bystander. All were cliches, but for good reason. They worked, they reeled in the money fulfilling people’s wildest fantasies.

This night was different, however. Usually he could tell what the woman wanted by a simple look, but as he moved through the crowd to find the birthday girl, he instantly came to a halt. It wasn’t what he had been expecting, what he had prepared for. It was no ordinary night. He was ready for another evening of anonymity, instead he was confronted by a familiar face. Isabella, the woman who’s house he had been working on, his friend. She was now before him, the rowdy women in the bar pointing to her and hollering, waiting for the show to begin.

Remy was clueless as to how to proceed, so he did what he did best. He stood up that bit taller and continued with the show. It was a split second decision really. Instead of running for the door, he began to walk over to Isabella once more, his eyes constantly searching her own for a sign to stop and walk away. The show was always about consent, no matter who’s idea the thing was. There was a different between embarrassment over the situation and discomfort, an unwillingness to participate. 

Now that he knew who his client was for the evening - on a personal level verses purely physical - there were some things he was questioning whether to change, or if to change at all. He could claim that this was his birthday present to Isabella, having not originally known it was her birthday. How much she’d appreciate it, he had no idea, but as he finally stood up close and personal to his friend, he took a deep breath before beginning his show — it was all he knew to do.

“Ma’am, I’m afraid I’m going to have to place you under arrest.” Remy started, his eyes staring into hers, looking for a sign he should stop. Then for a moment, he paused, just long enough to give her an out if she wanted it. He wouldn’t force his dance upon her. He wouldn’t force his dance upon anyone. “Anything you say - for instance, my body - can and will be held against you.”

[isabellalyon]

Remy must have recognized her. The music was too loud for Isabella, and the happenings of the evening too quick for her to bear, but she assumed that despite all this, Remy must have recognized her. How couldn’t he? If one counted all the times he’d come over to her home to fix something she’d broken, one would run out of fingers. Add all the times they’d met up and seen one another because of Karina as their mutual connection, and one would understand that there was friendship blooming between the two. And friends recognized one another, did they not? Just as Isabella would know Liv or Karina from miles away, so she would know Remy when she looked him in the eyes --- even when he was dressed as a police officer.

However, the truth remained unknown to Isabella. Whether or not Remy recognized her was a mystery, and he certainly didn’t let it show in his work. Perhaps there was a flicker on his features. Perhaps there was a small hint of it in his eyes. However, with the music turned up to the loudest degree, and with the screams of her friends surrounding her, and along with the fact that her friend was a stripper, Isabella found it hard to focus on anything. She tried to tell herself that the former two reasons were the only reasons she couldn’t focus, but it was difficult to ignore the third reason when said third reason was right in front of her. Dancing. Speaking. Pulling lines that might as well have come from a cheesy movie.

She tried to think things through, but it was difficult to think in this situation. Instead, questions burst in her head like fireworks. Did Karina know about this? Did Karina know what Remy did? Was that why they broke up? If she did know, why didn’t she say anything to Isabella? If both of them knew, why didn’t anyone tell her? The screams around Isabella were enough to distract her. They were enough to keep her alive, to keep her energetic. They kept her from wanting to think things through.

With a swift movement, she reached for a shot across the table. And then another. And then another. She didn’t want to think tonight. She didn’t want to see her friend’s face, and she didn’t want to question what he was doing. And, most of all, she didn’t want to embarrass him.

If she said his name now, everyone would stop screaming and turn to the both of them. If she told him to stop, questions about how they knew each other would arise. If she did anything other than play along, Remy would be uncomfortable with the fact of who she was. So, Isabella did none of these things. She smiled. She looked to Liv. She looked to another friend who tugged on her hand and screamed about how hot Remy was. Isabella laughed.

She was twenty eight, and she was going to enjoy herself.

[braxevans-deactivated20161119]

A DISTANT MEMORY / ISABELLA & BRAXTON --- @isabellalyon

It had been eight years since he had been a part of anything that had meant something. It had been eight long years since he had laid eyes on the very woman he had believed he would likely spend the rest of his own years with. It was agonizing, to believe that a single person could mean the world to you, only to destroy that world in a matter of seconds. To pack up every bit of clothing that you owned, to take every memento that you had collected over the years, and to leave not a single trace of you behind. Not even a letter explaining why you had made the decision to leave out of the blue.

It had been eight long years since Braxton had left the one woman that he had loved with every fiber of his being.

The cost of living was to suffer through heartache, to sift through the broken and battered dreams for the new ones that lie beneath. The effort of providing that cost was the bright and shiny future that lay ahead of those that fought for it. Braxton was not the fighter that many believed him to be. In a fight or flight situation, he found out at the age of twenty that he was the latter. It was the news that he had dreaded hearing for the entirety of his life, that he was mentally not cut out to become the very thing he had always dreamed to be. It was this news, the news that tore apart the dream he had had since he was a young boy and sent him into that spiral he had imagined he would never break free of.

He had broken free, eventually. And at the cost of leaving behind a woman that he had established a future with, a life that he had once felt like living. A forgotten future that had led him back to the very place he had left all those years ago. An apartment that seemed but a distant memory, one filled with joyous laughter and sweet promises made.

A tense jaw clenched as he stood at the sidewalk, gazing up at the three story building before him. He remembered every moment of the life he once had, the life that he had left behind in pursuit of a new dream, one that had not quite compared to what he had lost.

Call it mild curiosity that had brought him back to these apartments. Call it morbid curiosity that had him wondering how she was, if she still lived there, if she was still the same woman that he had left behind eight years ago. It seemed like his feet carried him on auto pilot, like he knew not of what his own body was doing until he stood before the very door he had walked out of with the thought of never returning. It took more than enough willpower to lift his fist, to rap three times on the door while his mind fumbling over what exactly he was going to say to her if she happened to answer the door. What could he say to her?

[isabellalyon]

It was a strange thing to be here. Here was simply four walls and a roof, yes --- but these four walls and a roof had once been home. It had once been where she planted her dreams, where she put everything on hold for a man that made her believe in forever. Isabella Lyon had not known herself to be lovable, but once, she had felt like she was. She had not known herself to be capable of love, but once, she had been. Braxton Evans had given her that. He had given her that and more --- all that Isabella dreamt of, and all that she could not muster to even think about. Once upon a time, this place was something else. Something she loved. Something she called home.

Now, it was someone else’s. The old lady who lived in it was a quaint one, quick to befriend Isabella during the season of her loss. She had noticed something within the young woman ---- something fickle, something fearful ---, and she had made her feel that it was okay to be this way. Her kindness knew no bounds as she welcomed Isabella into her home two days every week for the last eight years, and Isabella, for this reason, had never once missed a Saturday or a Sunday. With this quaint lady, Isabella had built the home she’d broken down. With this quaint lady, Isabella felt like she was somebody again.

Yet, still, the strange never left. The strange held on.

The difference now was that Isabella did not hold back. Somewhere across time, sometime across time, she had learned that the man that she loved wasn’t coming back. Through all the tears she’d cried, and despite all the memories she’d held onto, Isabella had learned to move forward. It took one step at a time, one step each day. And, sometimes, on Saturdays and Sundays, upon visiting this home that was no longer her home, she would take steps backwards all the way to eight years ago --- as though Brax had merely left yesterday ---, but she would find that she felt nothing at all. She was not hurting, not anymore. Isabella had long accepted what she’d lost.

As she sat by the old woman’s creaky bed and held the woman’s hand in her own, Isabella listened to the stories that were told. Often times, they were the same stories --- some of which she’d heard before ---, but she did not mind much. For as long as there was a smile on the woman’s face, Isabella was happy.

The sudden three knocks on the door startled them both.

When asked, the old woman did not remember if she’d called her son home. Neither did she remember whether or not she’d called anyone home. Isabella, then, with her warm smile, shook her head and let the woman lie down. She said she would get the door.

And  she did. She did, and the face that she saw on the other side was a ghost.

[isabellalyon]

PHONE CALL 01 / ISABELLA & KARINA --- @karinanoamartinez

Friendship did not mean what it used to back in high school. During those days, a friend was one who spent all day every week with another. A best friend was someone one ate lunch with every weekday, someone one told their secrets to, someone who was present in body. Best friends were supposed to be inseparable. They were supposed to be invulnerable. Together, best friends could fight anything.

But this was back in the day, and Isabella Lyon had long since graduated high school. With work and life in her way, it was difficult to be present in body with her best friend. Eating lunch together every day of the week was no question, because the answer was impossible; being together every day for eight hours straight wasn’t a possibility either. She wasn’t in high school anymore, and friendships meant something else all together.

It was a good thing, then, that as the definition of friendship changed, so did people. Isabella did not need her best friend Karina around her all the time, and they needed not to eat lunch together every day of the week to assure each other of their friendship. Now, though she and Karina have not spoken for the week, Isabella knew that Karina was still a shoulder to count on and a person to turn to should she be in her time of need. However, this did not mean that she could take the friendship lightly. Isabella never did take relationships for granted; after everything, she’d learned not to.

With the weekend coming up, Isabella had time to ring her best friend.

Only three rings in did Karina answer the phone. At once, Isabella squealed a greeting. “Hello! You’ll never guess what happened to me this week!” The tone of happiness remained in her words. “But you have to guess anyway. So, guess!”

[isabellalyon]

SAY MY NAME / ISABELLA & VIVIAN --- @vivianthewolff

With the new season came new work opportunities. It brought in new customers, new events, new celebrations. Isabella Lyon, from having worked as a chef for the catering company that she started with Liv, knew this by now. She knew what each season brought, and understood that each came with their own difficulties and struggles. With Christmas lurking right around the corner, Isabella had her own struggles to deal with on top of the struggles at work: the third anniversary of her mother’s death, and all the sadness it brought. It was going to be a difficult end of the year, but then again, the whole year was difficult. Isabella was no stranger to difficulty; still, she did not know how to welcome it.

For now, she decided to take some time to herself by visiting a cafe she hadn’t been in for quite some time. Troubles would come, as would struggles, so Isabella might as well have a good cup of coffee and some pastries with her while she watched these approach. Her home was too small a place for her own thoughts, too large a place for her body, and so she ventured out into the streets and headed towards Beam Me Up cafe. With her car broken down, Isabella had to go by foot; but, she did not mind walking so much as she did her racing thoughts.

Once she entered the cafe, the familiar face of a friend who had once worked for her welcomed Isabella. Some time ago, Lucy had been one of Isabella’s best bakers --- and now, she stood with her own business and helped with that of her family. Though Isabella had nothing to do with this, she couldn’t help but feel proud of her friend for going so far in life. The smiel on her lips showcased this pride --- and, as she walked over to Lucy, it remained.

“Hey,” she said once she neared the counter. “It’s so nice to see you again. I haven’t seen you in --- what? --- months now? Or has it been a year? Already?” Isabella chuckled at her own words. “I’ll have your specialty, as I always have. And also a coffee. How have you been?”

Little did Isabella know who she was actually speaking to.