in a field of dandelions.

i like checking days off a calendar—151 days crossed and nothing truly horrible has happened. 152 and the world isn’t ruined. 153 and i haven’t destroyed anyone. 154 and no one really hates me. sometimes i think i won’t ever feel s a f e until i can count my last days on one hand. three more DAYS to get through until i don’t have to worry about life anymore. ° » catalina native. thirty. speech pathologist. JOLIE DE BEAUVOIR.

[vanessacarlysle]

(x)

[vampire-diariesgifs]

caroline forbes as described by other characters [1/?]

[joliedebeauvoir]

❛ SCOTT RAMÍREZ.

STARTER: Open

LOCATION: Literally anywhere

@catalinastarter​

     “Hold on, can I?—” Scott’s phone had been ringing all morning, an unknown number desperately trying to get hold of him and after the seventh attempt, he caved. On a break from work, Scott excused himself for a few moments as a foreign woman spoke to him in a thick Russian accent, asking him for his preference on hookers. “What? Hookers? No—” Not that he could get a word in, the caller determined to find out his preference so she could match him to his perfect one. “I’m sorry, how did you get this number?” Scott finally asked, holding the phone away from his ear as she started yelling down the phone about how much he owed on an account under someone’s name. “Jesus—” He groaned, hanging up and turning back to the person he had previously been speaking with. “I’m bein’ Punk’d, I swear.”

Oh god, the platinum female thought to herself. Attempting to conceal the giggles due to the pressed fine line of her petals. Although within a flicker of a moment, sudden state of her seafoam hues broadened to size of golf balls. Surely, this should’ve been the last thing Jolie had done but after an inebriated experience days ago for her office’s Christmas party at Marlin’s, she may have written down someone’s phone number on the bathroom stall. Call for a good time. Those were the precise words to her recollection. Nonetheless, if she had written Scott’s number or someone else's was indistinct in terms of processing the digits. Not the best of time. Nor was it the ideal time to have a potential giggling fit whilst panic coursed through her. Now, her hand was resting upon her mouth, she managed to control the giggling from earlier but she was eavesdropping into the conversation. Dropping her hand toward her side, craning her neck toward his direction. Only until there was an opening ideally for Jolie to speak to allow her curiosity to be piqued, “So... hookers?” The blonde turned toward him in a stern, questioning tone. A vaulted brow shot in his direction moments later. “Are you telling me something, Scott? Do you need to go to Hookers anonymous or what?” A teasing tone in question, nudging him lightly. All of the jokes were here but only up until Jolie could find it necessary to insert her possible involvement with that phone call. “I’m sure we could find a place to help you out.” 

[joliedebeauvoir]

special delivery for ; @avahalliwell

location ; wandering the streets of avalon near catalina casino

date & time ; december 20th at 9pm.

A coruscate array of luster hung superbly upon cast iron decorative lights interlining the streets of Avalon as it brought warmth and guidance to those once the dusk rested upon them. The series of events over the past few weeks had been quite weary. The status of her friends’ marriage was a revelation that needed to be processed properly. Reflection of memories from her friend’s wedding circulated in her conscious. All of the moments leading up, standing beside Noah and Parker as bridesmaids, witnessing as Cleo worked her charm and pulled out her organizational skills for the rest of the bridal party to enjoy themselves, which was the sole purpose of the evening. Everyone had come together in holy matrimony for Ava and Nathan, who always made Jolie’s skin crawl but after the confession to her best friend, the ounce of worries fluttered away. Still, the information was shared. In the end, what mattered was Jolie’s firm ground and promising to stand beside her best friend through everything. Ava had witnessed her at times of despair. Even when Jolie thought the inevitable, Ava had been there providing her solace and a physical shoulder to lean on. Their bound was indestructible. Proven with the testament of time, the decision on heading to her next-door neighbor and insisted on an evening where they parted for their affluent homes nestled in Ventura whilst relishing in the moment of their beautiful hometown amongst them and the state of Christmas. The plan was to see Black Christmas, which unfortunately was a sell-out compared to the 1974 version which Jolie flavored in a heartbeat. The one thing she knew was her best friend's love for slasher films. Everything from the first moment of the film, it was going to be unbearable. Nonetheless, to enjoy the lighthearted moments, rather than the intensity they were emerged in previously, a movie night out was deemed for. Now, walking arm in arm with the equal height between the best friends, nestled in a black cotton knee-length sweater from Lafayette 148, adding the additional clothing layer in case of the atmosphere of the weather became frigid for safety measures. Pondering thoughts had consumed her, momentarily humming before initiating a conversation, “Okay, I will be honest with you but what’s the purpose of a remake?” She questioned. Seafoam hues diverted toward her best friend’s face, allowing a moment to catch a glimpse of her reaction. It was as farfetched from the original. Efforts were made but simply as the film proceeded on, it made it lackluster and dreadful to sit through. It was a blessing popcorn existed. “I feel after watching that film I need to go back with you and rewatch the 1974 version.” Oh, that’s an incredible idea. An illumination of light flickered within her conscious, mouth corners instantly growing by the nanosecond to present her natural beam. “Tomorrow, that’s what we should do tomorrow! Rewatch the classic and any other slasher film you love.” An enthusiastic tone slithered through, growing rather exhilarated by her own thoughts progressing forward. Nothing was in plans for her tomorrow. All of her Christmas presents have been wrapped and there would be solace in the house. The opportunity was ideal and screaming to be taken advantage of. 

[joliedebeauvoir]

❛ JULIE SPENCER.

for → @joliedebeauvoir​ location: Jolie’s private practice  time: mid-day

One phone call and Francesca was more than happy to provide Julie with the gift she now holds up to to hide face as the steps into Jolie’s office. The Saint Laurent new collection was not supposed to be available for another few moments, but there was not a soul in the world that change her mind and make her show up in Catalina without the perfect present, not after missing her best friend’s birthday for the first time in years. It was just a purse, but also a  reminder of the importance of this one particular person in her life, one she could move heaven and hell to make sure is happy. After all, outside her family there were few people that the young woman can consider more than a simple friend - they where the extension of her family, a much more normal and simple version of it. 

“Excuse m’am but I have a deliver for miss de Beauvoir, do you know where can I find her?” Luckily the gift bag was big enough to hide her face, but it was an extra effort to delivery her best America accent. “If you don’t know any I will just have to keep this to myself.”

Submerged in the depth, innumerable mounts of paperwork of piles occupying the far left-hand side of her desk, the platinum blonde was immersed in the responsibilities of her paperwork before the Christmas celebration erupted. It was the usual routine during this time of year. The next two weeks would be taken off, allowing Jolie to enjoy a much-needed stay vacation, as she planned to not fret about work until the New Year. The month of November up to today, Friday, her last workday of the week before she emerged herself into the preparation of cooking up a feast for Christmas Day dinner, which would have her grandparents, uncle, sister, and step-father, included. In the typical Jolie fashion, she allowed all of the responsibility and tasks placed upon her shoulders because she adored the ability to control the situations by her own doing. There were plenty of things circulating on her mind whilst finishing up another patient’s file, working effortlessly to avoid any inaccuracy. Seafoam hues darted over the document in her grips, allowing a once over to approve of the information she had written down before leaning toward to press down on her intercom system on her work telephone to catch the attention of the receptionist, Nancy, who covered on the days’ when Lourdes’ happened to be elsewhere - possibly in a heated makeout session in Jolie’s kitchen, just like in prior times. “Hey Nancy, I have Bethany’s file finished. Do you mind scanning a photocopy of the top document and store it on the cloud on her cloud file?” She politely asked. Once hearing an affirmative response, one which always clutched her heart due to Nancy’s pleasing response, her mouth corners instantly irradiated. “You’re the best.” 

There was no denying how Jolie and her staff were on the same wavelength. It’s why she hired everyone up-to-par based upon the chemistry amongst the boss and staff. If they got along with her and understand her methods of maintaining the pristine reputation from all of her years of training as a Speech Pathologist, a chance was given. After all, the six months of the private practice being open, everything was up to the standards Jolie had wanted due to the responsibility and liabilities being held on her back. All of her prior working years had been under a hospital, Northwestern, when she formerly resided in Chicago, had given her an opportunity to be on her own boss for the next chapter of her life and ability to return back to her coastland hometown. A black jet ink pen was secured in the palm of her right hand, thumb hover over the pen's ability to write mechanism, whilst her hues focused upon another client’s paperwork. Peripheral vision allowed her to see a sight, for a nanosecond causing Jolie to assume it was Nancy to gather the paperwork, but as the familiar, angelic voice flowed into her ear canal, the petite blonde was instant on her feet. A modest stomp of her Valentino Garavani Rockstud T-Strap Pump against the brand new carpeted floor. A blaring gasp slipping off the tip of her tongue. “Julie freakin’ Spencer!” The way her hands lifted to cover her mouth, in the state of awe at the beauty of the newest Saint Laurent collection in her presence. “Shut..... the.... front door!” A shrieking sensation darted off. The state of her reactions was genuine because not only was it Saint Laurent newest collection, whom she adored, but also it had been far too long since she had last seen Julie in the flesh. “I’m here! Miss de Beauvoir is here!” Wandering seafoam orbs admired the beauty in her best friend’s grace, only to lurch into a bear embrace, hanging onto the other for dear life. “I freaking missed you! And this is how you show your face in Catalina by bringing me this GORGEOUS, not even announced to the public yet, belated birthday present.. I suppose?” After all, there was one person missing from her thirtieth celebration dinner and it was the woman currently being suffocated by Jolie.  

[joliedebeauvoir]

❛ TAYLOR HEMINGWAY.

           Jolie’s friendship was one that Taylor cherished, appreciating how they were able to reconnect after years of distance after Jolie moved away to another state, and she was glad that they kept in touch despite having known each other since they were just kids. Most people forgot all about their high school friends, but that didn’t apply in their case. With a nod, she was quick to box up a dozen of the Christmas cookies as neatly as possible before tying a festive red and green bow around it. “I’m not surprised. Your family always goes all out. The last time I was there, I think I saw real reindeer in the front yard… or they just gave the illusion of being real — that’s how good the decorations are.” She made a cup of hot cocoa, topping it with a dash of cinnamon and mini-marshmallows, handing it to her friend in a mug. “Complimentary hot chocolate, just comes along with the territory of being a friend to the owner of a bakery.” Coming around out from behind the counter, she sat with Jolie on one of the high stools in the lounge area. “How’ve you been?” They were both so busy in their prospective work lives that it was nice when they got to catch up and she wanted to hear all about the current happenings in her friend’s life.

The ability to return back home after her contract ended with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, to proceed forward with her hard-earned years of gathering work experience as a Speech Pathologist, to eventually open her own private practice became a reality. Not only was she able to return back to her hometown, but returning back to moments of nostalgia. Reuniting with familiar faces from high school, such as Taylor, made the adjustment after eleven years effortless. The female no longer had the distaste of her hometown in her mouth due to her teen years. All that mattered in these moments happened to be the current version of Jolie, which overpowered the moments and once rebellious behavior she experienced. It was soothing to her to be in Taylor’s presence again. Especially since the similarities of their high school experiences in terms of their pregnancies. The elevating mouth corners remained steady, intrigued by her friend’s delicate efforts with the cookies, and soon wrapping them up in a festive red and green bow. The added touch would make her grandmother’s heart clutch. Just like her own heart was experiencing. The Christmas season was always her favored time of the year. “Oh, trust me, I remember that whole reindeer situation. Someone told my grandmother it would be impossible to find any animal able to resemble a reindeer. In Margaux’s typical nature, she achieved it all effortlessly, still not daring to tell me how she did it. She is a woman after my own heart,” she admitted through a glimmering beam. As the years proceeded on, the similarities of Jolie and her grandmother were uncanny. After all, Margaux de Beauvoir took care of her only granddaughter when Charity failed to step up to plate. Even when Charity tried, in which she always failed as the parenting methods were so out there and unnecessary, Margaux took over the responsibility of raising the only de Beauvoir legacy to the upmost. Lost in the trance of her thoughts, the sight of hot cocoa handed in her direction had caused her digits to wrap tightly around the mug, feeling the warmth of the beverage flow into her palms. “Keep on treating me this way, Taylor. I may never leave your shop.” Songbird tone confessed before indulging on a much-needed sip of hot cocoa. Setting the mug down on the counter, the blonde diverted her attention on the other. “I’ve just been busy with work. I decided to take the next two weeks off for some me-time. I’ve been on overdrive since before Thanksgiving. So I’m really looking forward to that,” she admitted through a smile. “What about you?” 

[joliedebeauvoir]

❛ PARKER BELMONT.

      The first friend Parker made upon relocating to the island with her siblings was none other than Jolie de Beauvoir. It happened such a long time ago that the details were fuzzy but she could distinctly remember the moment she decided the blond would be her very best friend. Parker couldn’t remember who threw the party or how they were invited but she could remember the way Jolie’s hands felt in her own as they spun each other on the dance floor. The sound of their laughter mixing in the air around them like a symphony until what sound came from who became indistinguishable. She remembered holding Jolie’s hair back as she expelled the contents of her stomach in the bushes of a random neighbor’s home. Which set into motion a series of events that led to them running wildly through the streets of Venture their heels swinging precariously from manicured fingertips to the sound of said angry neighbor yelling about how they ruined her hydrangeas. It was then Parker knew she had to keep Jolie in her life forever. Thirteen years later and they were still best friends with many more years to go. 

     They had gotten older, busier, perhaps a little more mature but they had never grown apart which Parker felt internally grateful for. And sometimes that gratitude made her do things like this, unexpectedly showing up at Jolie’s home to surprise her with a winter wonderland or the very least a version of it. “Welcome to you’re own piece of the North Pole,” Parker explained enthusiastically as slender fingers grabbed hold of her friend’s shoulder to gently guide her to the pinterest inspired scene of her living room. Admittedly the brunette had far too much time on her hands as of late and had gone a little crazy while roaming through the aisles of the local Hobby Lobby. “I call it the Fort Pole and I spent all afternoon getting it set up so if you hate it you better keep it to yourself,” she teased lightheartedly with a playful squeeze of Jolie’s shoulders to her know she could open her eyes now. “I thought we could unplug from the outside world for couple hours and just stuff our faces full of junk food while binge watching cheesy Christmas movies until we fall asleep. You know, like that first winter break we spent together when I moved here.”

The instantaneous connection which blossomed between the brunette and the blonde all of those thirteen years ago caused their friendship to withstand the distance soon formulated due to Jolie’s erupt move to Chicago. During the time when both females became accompanied by other’s existence, flourishing into being best friends, Jolie was in a downward spiral. Drugs, alcohol, sex — it was almost as if she was on the road for ten months of the year and the frontwoman of a rock bank in the early eighties. The reality was her mother's words started to affect her. Each word, one after another, coming off as calm and collected as if they didn’t affect her on the outside, everything on the interior was tearing her apart. All she wanted to do was feel numb and not allow those agonizing words of her mother to corrupt her. Unfortunately, for a year, they did. Even though Charity was unaware of this spiral from her eldest daughter, those nearest to Jolie, such as Parker, witnessed a shift in the female instantaneously after a soundless responsive weekend from the blonde, as she was recovering from an abortion. Only a few knew about the procedure. Even to this day, only a few were aware of what she endured. Aware that she met Parker at an unlit period of her life. The illumination of Parker becoming an addition to added wonders to her life. Their sisterhood was young. Yet, they managed to beat around one of the many complicating obstacles life had decided to throw their way. Both of them went through havoc and unexpected life experiences, having each other to constantly lean on one another even with the distance upon them. Together, they stood firm and shatterproof. 

There were only a few people who had key access to Jolie’s place. Parker was one of them. Still, there was always joy and delight when she was able to come home and witness a surprise that was awaiting her reaction. Such as right now. Seafoam hues remaining shut, a vaulted brow lifting toward the infinite ceiling above her in her picturesque home in Ventura, having felt at the glacial temperatures of Chicago had entered into her home. Feeling her best friend fingers grab a hold of her, guiding her further into her spacious home, her orbs flickered open to see the sight of her living room dressed to the nine’s, a glistening array of twinkling warm lights hanging from the ceiling and resting uncomfortably upon her sectional sofa, which was mounted with heaps of pillows and blankets, feeling a tugging sensation of her heartstrings. The nostalgia was unbreakable in this precise moment. Her own hands found it’s placed upon her heart, taking in the beauty of her best friend’s creation in her living room, wondering how she ever became this grateful for the existence of Parker in her life. “Oh my god,” she whispered. Much of being in the moment of silence, the platinum blonde was in awe, mouth agape at the beauty. “Can I keep this forever in my living room?” Turning toward the brunette, the illumination of her beam and twinkle in her hues indicated Jolie was in love with the sight in her living room. Allowing her free hand to reach for her best friend, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “Thank you so much for this.” Appreciate tone coursing through her song-bird range, beaming effortlessly towards Parker. If there was one person Jolie could count on, it was Parker coming sweeping in and treating her like a princess. “I’m all here for unplugging from the outside world, stuffing our faces and binging those cheesy Christmas movies,” she concurred. Pleading, puppy dog eyes were shot towards Parker’s direction, as Jolie lurched onto her sectional couch getting comfortable for their evening. “Please tell me we are starting off the evening with Elf, and then hitting up Disney+ newest film, Noelle. Please, please!” 

[joliedebeauvoir]

❛ KATIA GOLDMAN.

As Jolie began to speak, Katia smiled, sipping at her own coffee, intently listening to her speak. It was always a dream of hers to be able to sit at a table and just listen to her daughter talk about life and love and everything in between. Sadly, for Katia, it seemed to be an impossible feat; despite her forceful attempts to do everything right, here she was, in her late thirties, a single divorcée and childless. The thought that she could adopt had crossed her mind before, but then, the fundamental fear that she could never love another child as her own would hit, so she never got too much farther than googling the paperwork (and money) involved in the process. 

But this was enough. Katia quietly told herself that as she observed the blonde, whom she gradually began to see as a younger sister, and at times, even a mother. She had a reserve of love and advice to give and she was beyond happy to offer it to Jolie, whom accepted it wholly with open arms. And it was from that love for the woman that she widened her eyes and allowed a large grin to glue itself onto her face as she admitted to the entrance of a new lover into her life. Katia knew bits and pieces of Jolie’s wild child lifestyle back in the day, but since she’d met the woman, she’d mostly kept her nose to the grindstone and worked on her career. Smart, Katia would say, but love was a much more exciting topic. 

“Jolie! You have to tell me everything,” she exclaimed, her smile still gracing her features. “Who is this man? Or woman? Where did you meet them? How long have you been seeing this person?” Her curiosity and excitement was genuine. “No, no, don’t worry about me judging and all that; you know I reserve that for Lourdes,” she laughed. It was half a joke, but she really did trust Jolie’s intuition much more than she did her younger half-sister’s. It came with being older, and much wiser, Katia supposed. 

“Oh, my life’s been…” her lips formed a line as she shook her head, trying to think of an accurate word to describe it, “… you know, fine. Honestly, boring, a bit busy, but boring is nice. Not entangled in love like you are,” she gushed in a sing-song voice, smirking. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop embarrassing you — but seriously. I’m so happy.” Katia reached over and squeezed the other woman’s shoulder. The woman had gone through a lot, and she deserved the world after the fact. “But call me the minute he fucks up, okay? I’ll make sure he never works in this town again, one way or another,” she joked, but her face turned serious, the gentle sympathy gone from her voice. The woman fought for the people she loved. No question about it.

As her digits gripped the coffee cup, one that was she fueling her energy after the intensifying marathon training session Jolie had endured, causing her direction from her house move toward Katia’s apartment, another safe space for Jolie when Lourdes’ brought over unexpected visitors. The female across the table was one of the select handful of individuals in her life whom Jolie trusted to the utmost degree. The roaring sensation of the butterflies mentioning the male in conversation soon made its reaction upon the apple of her cheeks. A blazing flush color returned in different circumstances. In the moments prior, it was due to having finished off her work out, but now it was a topic in particular which made her feel like a teenage girl all once again. What made this entire experience worthwhile was when Jolie was a teenager, the emotions she had felt in the past never consumed her. It was no secret of her own vulgar time of dating a guy and breaking up with them a short time later. Much time since her teenage years, growth and evolvement was steady upon the blonde, showing years away from Catalina proved a remarkable change in all subject matters.  Enduring the butterfly sensation, fully aware it wouldn’t fade away with just a snap of her fingers, it was pandora’s box opened up on the topic of Vince. Biting the inside of her cheek, attempting to withhold the blazing beam from resting merrily upon her mouth corners, it failed shortly afterward. The preeminent way to describe Jolie’s state of being in this particular moment was searching for a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep on proceeding forward and living, eventually, the universe will pay love and happiness your way. It hit right in the core. No one in her entire life, all of the boyfriends she had been with, had ever made her feel valued or cherished. Then Vince entered into her life. The attractive, dark-haired male with baby blue hues she found herself getting lost in, came sweeping into her saving grace to help her pick out a potato after standing at the same booth for nearly fifteen minutes. It was the first moment where her heart flickered and felt eager to learn about the other. And here she was now, sharing the moments, five months building up to her perilous speed-dating suggestion for Vince, only to greet him in the fourth round, wooing him just like times before. The other was soon to be graced with all of the schoolgirl details. 

A giggle darted off the tip of her tongue. Nodding her head, a few strands of her blonde tresses falling into her eyes. “He’s a man. Man.” A chuckled passed through. Slowly, but surely, allowing the unfolding of the development and this new suitor in her life toward the other. “I’ve known him for five months. I met him at the Farmer’s Market. I found this brand new recipe that I wanted to try to bring for my weekly dinner with my grandparents.” She began, only pausing to lift the mug of caffeinated courage to flow through her. The mug soon returning back to its place of comfortable, upon its coaster, which rested on the table. “I stood there for fifteen minutes trying to narrow down an option. Who knew there were this many potato options? Neither did I. So, I was clearly suffering by the way I hadn’t moved. Even the people at the Farmer’s Market didn’t even bother with me after a couple of minutes. It was after all of the time when he saved me and I picked the right potatoes.” Anyone else who would’ve eavesdropped to hear this story would’ve found it odd. Then again, the universe allowed moments like these to flourish at any given time. “It took me months to work up the moment telling him I liked him.” A brief pause. “You know.. more than friends.” It had been six years since her last commitment to a relationship. All in those years later, this was the first time when a sincere, love clutching emotion overtook her. The newest addition to her life, still in the early stages, made her feel like one in a million.

Whilst her eyesight focused upon Katia, allowing the topic of the conversation to differ toward the other, hearing the other’s words were also a familiarity. “Boring, huh?” An astound tone started to laced in between her song-bird tone. A vaulted brow shot toward Katia’s direction. “I never thought I’d hear an attorney ever say they’re bored but there’s always a new day to change all of that, huh?” Exchanging her words toward the other, only to have the topic returned back to Jolie, feeling the tip of her ears prickle to the matching flaunt pink state which was still clutching the apple of her cheeks. “I’m not embarrassed.” Swatting off those words with a wink being shot toward Katia’s direction, indulging in another sip of her coffee. The reassurance was clear by a squeeze from the other. It made her feel warm and safe to have someone like Katia. “Trust me, you are on my speed dial. I think everyone will hunt him down if he ever tries to fuck things up.” She confessed through a laugh. Even though Katia was one of the first to know about Vince, the other’s reactions and words would most likely be the same. “Listen, I am holding you to those words! But, you know....” falling into utter silence, attempting to find the words which were taking a moment to process. “I feel good about this one, you know? I never felt like this with anyone else. I feel... valued by him.” 

[lourdeshoward-a]

conversations that totally happened ft | @joliedebeauvoir

[aarontaylorjohnson]

REAR WINDOW (1954) dir. Alfred Hitchcock

[joliedebeauvoir]

29, 27, 25.

WOULD YOU RATHER?

25 … never remember someone’s face or never remember someone’s name?

The question had caused Jolie’s ears to illuminated to a state of deep red, knowing this question hit all too close at home. There had been one moment where Jolie blanked completely on someone’s name. A face was something she could never forget. But with names, it happened one too many times, especially with all of the things she remembered, an assortment of knowledge. How in the world did she do it? It simply amazed her. At times, it even exhausted her. A mixture of two different emotions on the dissimilar metaphorical line. Although, she was guilty of often forgetting people’s names. “Never remember someone’s name.” The blonde answered. A shrug rolled off her fragile shoulders. “I had it happen to me before. I remembered the person’s face but I struggled to remember their name. After a while, a lot of names just start to mush together if I am being honest.” A sigh darted off her lips. “Nothing sucks more when someone remembers your name and you can’t remember theirs. I think I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve become a professional with mastering the puzzled, lost in the moment face when someone’s face I remember but their names aren’t clicking.” Not her merriest moment. Then again, who could remember everyone’s name if they didn’t spend time with them on a daily basis? 

27 … always have a full battery for your phone or always have a full tank of gas for your car?

“Honestly, always have a full tank of gas for my car,” she acknowledged. There had been numerous occasions where Jolie felt like she didn’t need to have her phone. If anything, she loved having it around as a backup but never to the point where she couldn’t enjoy herself. Not once had there been a reason where she was eager to have her phone in her grips. Especially in moments of desperation when a conversation went in a direction she didn’t expect it, somehow she worked through it. The only time she would’ve wanted her phone nearby was when she was going on a run. The numerous Spotify playlist kept her pumping through the marathon training. The idea of always having a tank of gas in her car soothed her. “I could deal without my phone. If anything, I find it calming when I don’t have it in my grace. But having a tank full of gas?” An immediate pause, the blonde intimidating a chef’s kiss action with her digits clutching together, a swift motion afterward. “Man, those prices are insane at times. I don’t drive much since the distance from my office to my house is a simple walk but gas prices are expensive. Having a full tank always would allow me to travel anywhere and everywhere I want to.” 

29 … your browser history made public or the last 20 pictures in your camera roll made public?

“Damn,” she uttered, soon to be followed by an immediate pause. Allowing the moment amongst them to be festered in due to the curiosity arising when in retrospect, everything about her browser history made her tingle. Even if the depth and what was on her browser history wasn’t all of that scandalous. Nor was she a saint either. The last twenty pictures on her iPhone was an assortment of things. A few pictures of Jolie in perspective Christmas dresses. Snapshots of Catalina in a state of illumination due to the abundance of Christmas lights twinkling on the railings of houses, establishments, along with wreaths hung upon the doors. Here and there, a few pictures of dogs from local shelters. A mixture of everything. So, her answer was decided. “Keep the curiosity to yourself about my browser history, Nat.” A fun-loving tone guiding through her songbird tone. Purposely allowing herself to bring it up. No saint she was. Often far from it. “The last 20 pictures in camera roll made public. Come on, I got some adorable dog pictures in there. Who wouldn’t want to see those precise pooches faces? Just thinking about those dogs got me weak in the knees.” Not even bothering to include the miscellaneous shopping mirror pictures and Christmas lights even needing to be mentioned. It was always about the dogs. 

[joliedebeauvoir]

1-2-15-17

WOULD YOU RATHER? 

1 … lose the ability to speak or the ability to read?

The convolution of this inquiry caused an immediate reaction upon Jolie’s expression. Vaulted brows pinching into a dense ‘V’ shape formation, movable mouth corners drooping toward the stormy wooden floors in which her feet were standing upon, lost in the cavernous thoughts. Both speaking and reading came hand in hand with her line of work. The number of hours she spent researching and speaking to her clients were up in the thousands. Although the picture started to become transparent whilst the silence fluttered over her. An intricate vibration was muffled due to the fine line petal state. “Lose the ability to read,” she confessed. “I know I spend an endless amount of hours doing both. But, at the end of the day… I don’t think I could ever see myself losing the ability to speak. It’s how I communicate with my patients. It’s how I grow a personal connection with them. Otherwise, how would I connect with them? Make them feel like they are safe relying on me?” The authentic worries coursed throughout the questions. It was a typical Jolie thing to focus upon others instead of her endgame. It was always about others. 

2 … only be able to walk anywhere or only be able to drive a car that always mildly smells like cat pee?

“God,” utter through a belly laugh darting off the tip of her tongue. The bridge of her nose clustered into a few rows. Pinching sensation of her vaulted brows danced upon here expression, illuminated features. The minimal effort in her thought process for this question was instant. “Only be able to walk anywhere.” Finalizing on the choice, seafoam hues focused upon the magazine in her grips, momentarily admiring the beauty of recent fashion designer pieces taking over the runway. “Walking would cause me to find a lot of hidden treasures around town. Plus, exercise as well. I could never complain,” she soothed. Lifting her hues, the female-focused upon the other whilst a graceful beam widened. Never a moment where she didn’t find a bright light at the end of the tunnel. 

15 … have the ability to turn back time or the ability to see the future?

Either one of those questions would have an effect. There would’ve been moments where Jolie could’ve saved herself from the distress of her life choices if she didn’t rebel in her early months of being seventeen. Or, she could’ve gone back in time to have saved her father. Then, reflecting upon the state of her future, where would she be if she didn’t have Lourdes or each one of her dearest friends in her life? It would’ve been unbearable. It was a given the universe gives the energy in return to what you give the universe in the first place. Sadly, some things were the way they happened to be. The future was the one thing Jolie wanted to focus upon. Even with the dribbles of her past often guiding through her conscious, shaking her head for a decent amount of time. “Ability to see the future.” Effortlessly agreeing to the question, her digits drummed upon the butcher block island countertop. “Sure, I had thought about going back in time and changing things in my past. Then again, I remember that I am grateful for what I have gone through because it made me who I am today. To imagine a life without my people, you, would be unbearable and full of agony.” The platinum blonde explained her choice of reason. “All I can do is get a peek into the future, right? See where the universe takes me and see if I achieve everything that I’ve worked long and hard for. The future is never ending. There is a lot waiting out for me that I am unaware will happen.” 

17 … move to a new city or town every week or never be able to leave the city or town you were born in?

“Olivia, you are really hitting these questions right on top of my head, huh?” Fun-loving tone picked gentle tone of range toward the other at this moment. The questions were going right at her. There was no denying at how much each one of these words astounded her. Never would she have ever thought of them. The one thing Jolie never favored about ‘Would You Rather..’ happen to be everyone struggling over questions to ask the other. Typically after a few rounds, all of the woodworks would come flying out, tonight for an explanation. “As much as I love traveling and having the desire on wanting to see the world, I know I would somehow find it in me to miss Catalina. It happened to me towards the end of my residency in Chicago.” A gentle mention of her past eleven years in Chicago. One’s she loved. But, her hometown island still gripped her thoughts at every moment. “If it means I have to be such here for the rest of my life and not see the world out there, I’ll take that risk.” 

[catalinamemes]

WOULD YOU RATHER...

Attention Catalina residents! For the next thirty-six hours, you must make a choice for these thirty questions… 

1 … lose the ability to speak or the ability to read?

2 … only be able to walk anywhere or only be able to drive a car that always mildly smells like cat pee?

3 … always be 15 minutes late or 30 minutes early?

4 … only have flings that are all amazing but never last more than a day or be married for life to someone you don’t love?

5 …. live in a small sailboat or an RV for the rest of your life?

6 …. give up all drinks except for water or give up eating anything that was cooked in an oven?

7 … save 3 of your closest family members or 1,000 people you don’t know?

8 … have an easy job working for someone else or work incredibly hard for yourself?

9 … only be able to whisper or shout?

10 … be completely invisible for one day or be able to fly for one day?

11 … every shirt you ever wear be kind of itchy or only be able to use single-ply toilet paper?

12 …. go back to age 5 with everything you know now or have all the knowledge your future self will learn?

13 … say “I love you” to everyone when you hang up the phone or always call people by the wrong name whenever you see them?

14 … eat shit that tastes like chocolate or chocolate that tastes like shit?

15 … have the ability to turn back time or the ability to see the future?

16 … be trapped in a small room with 10,000 tarantulas for 10 minutes, or eat 10 tarantulas in 10 minutes?

17 … move to a new city or town every week or never be able to leave the city or town you were born in?

18 … marry someone that you don’t love or marry someone that doesn’t love you?

19 … always stink and not know it or always smell something that stinks that no one else smells?

20 … be a reverse centaur or a reverse mer-person?

21 … only be able to wear a full ski suit every day during the summer or wear a bathing suit during the winter?

22 … randomly time travel 20 years (past or future) every time you fart or teleport to a different place on earth (on land) every time you sneeze?

23 … always be able to tell when someone is lying or be able to lie without anyone knowing?

24 … live without the internet or live without AC and heating?

25 … never remember someone’s face or never remember someone’s name?

26 … give up cursing forever or give up ice cream for 10 years?

27 … always have a full battery for your phone or always have a full tank of gas for your car?

28 … have a lifetime subscription to Netflix or an unlimited gift card to Starbucks?

29 … your browser history made public or the last 20 pictures in your camera roll made public?

30 … wear your grandpa’s clothes or have your grandpa’s hair?

[joliedebeauvoir]

❛ DAPHNE PALMER.

@joliedebeauvoir​

Daphne had just put Danielle to bed for the evening when she heard a knock on her apartment door. Opening it, she saw Jolie standing there. “Perfect timing” she said with a friendly smile. “Please tell me you brought wine.” Danielle hadn’t gone to bed easily, and the blonde could use a drink while they watched Harry Potter movies and ordered takeout. “Because if you think I’m going to sit though the Prisoner of Azkaban without wine, you’re wrong.” It was one of her favorite books in the series, but also her least favorite movie in the series. “Also, I hope you came ready to practice. We’ve got a reputation to uphold.” So far, their team was undefeated on Harry Potter trivia night at the local pub. The prizes they won were nice, but the bragging rights were even better.

The first moment Jolie came in contact with the Wizarding World of Hogwarts happened to be in the year of 2001. An earnest, zestful twelve-year-old Jolie begged her step-father, Christian, to take her to the theaters to see Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, having limited knowledge upon the books. Throughout the entire film, on the edge of her seat, the vibrancy in her seafoam hues happened to be effortlessly glued to the movie screen at the Catalina Casino, finding herself falling into a cavernous love for this franchise. The first movie along caused Jolie to purchase all of the books - managing to complete the entire series within four months, especially since she was a swift reader and read age her age limit and level. The passion was ignited. All of the years of loving the franchise, it transferred into her adulthood, which often meant Jolie attended Harry Potter Trivia Night religiously since her return back to Catalina Island. When she heard Marlin’s Bar was holding it on a monthly basis, it would’ve been a despondency if her lack of contribution didn’t happen. Count on Jolie along with her beloved for the franchise, along with her competitive nature cascading through, to attend those trivia evenings. They were uncomplicated to her. Easy and breezy. From that particular moment of attendance, the female came in contact with another woman who upheld the same level of love and passion for the franchise just like Jolie. A friendship blossomed from those four months ago. 

 Now, it was the time to prepare for the final trivia for the entirety of the year especially to uphold the unbreakable reputation by the dynamic duo. Occupying a bottle of Zinfandel in the grips of her left digits, a widening beam coursed upon her petals once seeing Daphne, “What kind of house guest would I be if I didn’t bring wine?” An instant swift of her hand lifted and greeted the sight of the alcoholic beverage. Moments after, she entered into the familiar apartment, the same one where Jolie came to prepare for a fervent movie studying session. A reputation was needed to be upheld. There was no time to slip through the cracks during trivia night. Her memory needed to be fresh and alert. “I still can’t believe you don’t like Prisoner of Azkaban. It... astounds me.” A detesting shake of her tresses soon followed suit of the ‘tsk’ slithering off the tip of her tongue. It had been her favorite film. Biased as she was, the other films, not even The Sorcerer’s Stone, even if it was the first film and book into the franchise, could never defeat the impeccable belle of art created by Alfonso Cuarón. “No time for slacking. Time to keep our heads in the game. Let’s crack this bottle of wine open. We have bragging rights to annoy everyone with.” 

[joliedebeauvoir]

❛ TAYLOR HEMINGWAY.

           A contemplative expression falls upon her features as she observes the fellow blonde’s indecisive composure. It’s then that she recognizes the customer to be Jolie and her whole face lights up with a smile, having not seen her friend in too long a time. “Of course! Do you happen to know what they like? We have so many options…” Wandering over to where Jolie was observing the pastries, she hopes to come to her rescue with the perfect dessert to bring to her dinner. “If the dinner’s festive and Christmas-y, I think our hot chocolate cookies with marshmallow filling are definitely the way to go. They’re a favorite around this season and are always a hit with Christmas dinners. But if it’s a more formal affair, I have a beautiful chocolate and raspberry cake with peppermint mascarpone buttercream frosting. I just baked it this morning and it deserves to be appreciated by you and the family.” Being a lover of desserts herself, she had a hard time choosing simply one dish to bring to dinner parties, seeing how the choices were endless especially as someone who owned a bakery.

A fraction of a second caused her seafoam optic to process the individual behind the counter, a twinkle coursing from ear to ear at the realization it was Taylor. The vibrancy was rapid upon the inches of her expressive features. A twinkle even followed to rest comfortably upon her colored rims. It had been years. Nearly eleven years since their last encounter. Although, the ability and the advancement of technology provided the ability to Facetime even with the thousand of mile distance amongst them. “The real answer is - what don’t they like?” She notified. Neither one of her grandparents were picky in terms of saccharine desserts. Perhaps, the best idea would happen to be coming over with an assortment of treats instead of narrowing down to one. Nonetheless, the eyesight of her hues flickered another nanosecond longer upon the colossal amount of treats hidden by their protective lucent barrier. “Hm,” a gentle murmur vibrated off her lips whilst complementing upon the dinner’s occasion. Realistically, it was just the three of them but dressed to their nines. “I suppose festive with a dash of Christmas influx in it.” After all, her grandmother was a woman who adored Christmas, just like Jolie. Every inch of her grandmother’s mansion would be covered with a twinkling array of warm white lights. The same woman who was an older, but identical version of Jolie. Much of the grandmother and granddaughter pairing saw eye to eye upon countless topics. It only felt right to come in with Christmas saccharated treats. A sweet-tempered giggle slipped off her tongue, tucking a strand of her tresses, “Let’s go with the Christmas cookies. Knowing my grandmother, the whole house is going to look like a Christmas wonderland, and I would love to bring that spirit into the treats as well. After all, a week passed since I last saw them but she went extreme decorating mode.” Delicate angel tone range was touched to have an assistant of another. Moments after, a homely beam was shot toward Taylor’s direction. Treasuring the existence of the other coming to her saving grace. “It’s good to see you, Taylor.”

[joliedebeauvoir]

❛ TAYLOR HEMINGWAY.

OPEN STARTER

LOCATION: Persephone’s Bakery in Ventura

TAGGED: @catalinastarter​

          The melodic tinkling of bells as the door swung open to announce the arrival of a customer signaled Taylor from the comfort of her kitchen, an instant smile spreading across features flushed from a day of nonstop baking — courtesy of the wedding who had hired her to cater their entire dessert menu, including the five-foot custom wedding cake that was due for tomorrow. “Welcome to Persephone’s!” She maintained her usual cheery greeting, praying she didn’t have any flour or stray frosting stained on her face. “Let me know if you need any help. The hazelnut croissants are fresh out of the oven and today’s special is our popovers with strawberry butter.”

The one thing Jolie promised to bring to her dinner with her grandparents, Blaise and Margaux, happened to be dessert. Typically, the female would come bearing all of the needed ingredients for the dishes, not just one nor two, but often numerous course meals, keeping the trio glued to the table for hours, not even daring to get up from the dining table to clear the mass pile of dishes just yet. This time, her grandmother called her up hours prior, to make sure Jolie wasn’t planning a feast. In all retrospect, she was but had to stop dead in her tracks by the change of plans for tonight. So, she had to go dessert shopping instead of preparing dishes. This was when the female entered into Persephone’s. It had been a bakery she visited once in a few recent occasions but the blonde enjoyed the confection of saccharine overtaking her with eating an indulging bite of the desserts she purchased. The platinum blonde’s presence was instant as the bell above the door indicated a response from an individual, who’s cheery greeting had caused her mouth corners to instantly widen. “Thank you.” Songbird tone appreciative, wandering closer toward the enclosed glass case with an abundance of sweets. The bouncing effect of her seafoam hues caused an overwhelming sensation within her, petals being pressed into a fine line. “Excuse me,” she spoke up gently, hoping to catch the other’s attention. Overwhelmed, slightly confused as to what to even narrow down on. “Do you mind helping me with picking out a dessert for dinner tonight? It’s with my grandparents. I can’t decide on a cake or some cookies. Or even a mixture of both, if I can’t narrow down any further.” After all, whenever she baked cookies, they were typically gingerbread cookies due to the Christmas season dashing through by the seconds. This was the most pastry experience she had. 

[joliedebeauvoir]

❛ KATIA GOLDMAN.

Katia knew much about the de Beauvoir-Howard family, if only because she had an urge to fill the space that Charity had left. She’d summered in Catalina Island; she knew the prestige the de Beauvoir name held, but she also knew that there were always whispers. Slivers of dirty secrets, soiling the underbelly of the small island. The Goldman family mostly kept out of it, and were never closely acquainted with the family, but ever since Jolie made her way back to the island, the two immediately took to each other. There was a part of the blonde that reminded Katia a bit of her younger self, and her mothering instincts promptly took the woman under her wing, sipping on wine as they exchanged advice and tidbits of their life. 

Her appearance at her doorstep, though unexpected, wasn’t surprising. Lourdes had a habit of bringing all sorts into their home, and Jolie had somewhat of a haven in Katia’s Avalon condo. “Of course, of course,” Katia said good-naturedly, ushering her in before she rummaged around in her linen closet, placing a fluffy white towel and a set of clean clothes into her hands. “Mi casa su casa, love. We both know that Lourdes is going to be a while,” she stated with a sarcastic lilt. “I’ll get a pot of coffee going while you’re in the shower. Or smoothies?” Cocking her head, she smiled. “We’ll do both.” 

As Jolie headed towards the shower, Katia shuffled around the kitchen, humming a soft tune as she whipped up a fresh batch of coffee and two glasses of a banana-strawberry smoothie, placing them on the dining room table right as Jolie stepped out of the shower, looking far more relaxed than she had been when she’d appeared on her doorstep. “Come on,” she coaxed, moving her head towards the table, “how are you doing? What’s new in the life of Jolie de Beauvoir?” Her question and curiosity were nothing but genuine. Jolie truly did bring out the best features in Katia — her loving, caring nature rather than the harsh, pessimistic one that she took most of the time. 

The pseudo filling mother relationship Jolie experienced with Katia had done wonders for the only de Beauvoir daughter throughout the years of their companionship. It had been an instant bond from her recollection. One that she could never forget about. Anyone and their mother filled the missing piece that she often ached for in her own mother. To this day, things were unclear on what changed the tied between them at such a young age. Of course, long before the passing of her father, the blonde realized a hostilely and stiff tone from her mother. Moments when young Jolie with her pigtails would come home from a day out with an ice cream stain on her designer sundress. From a young age, her mother dressed her to the nines. If Charity could’ve gotten her way, which majority of the time she did but not with Jolie, she would’ve forced her eldest daughter to enter into the modeling industry. This was something far from what Jolie wanted to do with her life. Nonetheless, the bitterness often stayed permanent in her thought when the thoughts of her mother began to circle around. Although being around Katia, the wandering and notable presence of her mother in Catalina didn’t phase her because of the encounters and the memories of the formerly embraced pairing feathered through. 

Being the older sister, there had been times when Jolie’s hands were tied behind her back. The lifestyle that Lourdes currently endured with bringing the suitors to Jolie’s place had been a past time of Jolie’s during her high school years. Years afterward, she focused more on the evolvement of herself - education and gaining the notable experience in her field, to be proud of her accomplishment and where her life was currently going. At moments, her surname, de Beauvoir, and the legacy which gripped the world as the years proceed on helped her in certain positions and internships, but she was aware. All she had to do was prove to everyone all of the devotion to her line of work which stunned everyone. Along with the change, returning to live with her sister after having lived with her for Lourdes first year of university, brought memories back. Nonetheless, when moments of her sister in which she had the current experience, she appeared nowhere else. Only because others wouldn’t quite understand. Entering into the Avalon condo, taking off her running sneakers, before being graced by the objects of a fluffy towel and clean clothes, a cavernous sigh of merriment cascaded through. “Seriously, bless your heart and being my saving grace.” Songbird tone appreciative to the nines. “All day, if we’re being honest.” It hadn’t been the first time she experienced the duration from her sister with her choice of guys. Eventually, there would be a moment where Jolie laid down the rules. Letting her index finger tap the side near her cranium, a relieved beam coursed upon her petals, “You get me. Mind sync.”  

It was a strict routine Jolie had after her runs. Runs, then showers. it was simple as that. Yet, it often became complicated with a roommate who overtook the entirety of the house. Again, coming for the sweep right in, Katia saved the female another time. Wandering into the kitchen after the shoulder, freshened up with her locks washed and dried, and a fresh pair of cotton clothing, the pairing shared the same size. Plus, the choice of the pseudo mother near her fit ideally to Jolie’s choice of fashion as well. A delicate beam guided through, proceeding toward the familiarity of the table nearby. First off, lifting the batch of freshly brewed coffee, indulging in a much-needed sip, holding onto the fuming mug from the palms gripping onto it firmly. “Work, work, a little bit more of work,” she began, playfully. This was one way Jolie saw it. Adoringly her line of the profession more than anything, it did occupy the majority of her time. “Besides the usual, I have started to see someone. Big news considering all of the years you’ve known me, especially lately, I’ve just been working on myself.” It was a big deal for Jolie to come forward and share the news. Vince Cassidy took her by surprise. It was odd how well both of the pairing fit with each other. A balancing effect. Still, it was early on for both of them, but being around him caused the infamous butterfly sensation which realistically, she only experienced with him. “And what about you? Taking big names and showing everyone how much of a powerful woman you are?”