tessa sommers

TESSA SOMMERS. 32. Masonboro. Travel Journalist. I’m a true believer that there is beauty even in darkness, that exploration leads to progress, that human sacrifice is a necessity, and the world still has a lot to learn. Forever chasing breathtaking views, waterfalls that lead to infinity, and cultures that inspire and motivate us to do better.

[sommerstessa]

naomi-owens​:

❛ TAYLOR, A & SOMMERS, T.

─── Tessa Sommers​:

Ever since Tessa had undergone her preventive surgery, friends and family rallied around her for help. It was Naomi’s and Amy’s turn that evening to visit their friend and make sure she was doing okay. Sat in the living room of Tessa’s home, surrounded by pillows for comfort and support, Amy stared at Tessa with eyes wide in surprise, and her mouth just the slightest bit open. Meds could make you do and say all sorts of things, but confess your feelings to your ex? It was difficult to even imagine. “I honestly doubt that’s something he’ll share with Sophia?” Amy attempted, not knowing enough about Kevin’s relationship to even pretend to comfort her friend. “I honestly think you’ll be able to play the recovery card if he does tell her and she tries to do anything. You can also always say you were heavily medicated, which, you know, is true,” she kept on talking, not at all sure she was of any help at this moment. “Has Kevin said anything to you since you told him that?”

                      Naomi was full of the dramatics, arguably Wilmington’s very own drama queen, so when Tessa practically spilled the beans over something so juicy and close to home? The brunette couldn’t resist the way her jaw dropped and she stopped in her tracks upon returning to the living room. She had just stepped out to call home and check on Michael and Raelynn, luckily right on time so she didn’t miss the inside scoop. “You didn’t.” She didn’t mean to sound as surprised as she had come across, but sue her, she kind of was. There had always been an inkling there that told Naomi that Tessa was keeping things under wraps, but never in a million years did she think she would snag a scene straight out of Hallmark. Naomi only stayed silent when listening to Amy when she returned and found residency on the corner of Tessa’s couch, tucking her legs up. “Ames is right. You can play it off. But call me blunt but uhm──,” her head cocked to the side. “That’s kind of big, Tess. Is that really something you want to just roll off your shoulders and play cool about? I mean, it’s Kevin.” 

Amy and Noami both had very different approaches to the predicament Tessa found herself in - one reminding her that she could easily play it off as if it had never even happened, the other reminding her that she always had strong feelings for Kevin, always thought the two would end up together, and maybe this was a sign that she shouldn’t just ignore the way she was feeling now. At least Tessa could take some sense of solace in the fact that Amy was right. The chances of him telling Sophia about what Tessa said were slim to none. What man in their right mind would tell their girlfriend that their ex-girlfriend admitted to having feelings for them, anyway? Shaking her head, Tessa reached for the glass of water on the table before her and took a sip, having realized how dry her throat became from the topic of conversation. “We haven’t talked at all, which only goes to show how much I screwed up. Any chance of a friendship we may have had is obviously out the window now.” Tilting her head from side to side, Tessa barely made eye contact with Naomi. The woman always had a way of seeing right through her, just like she was doing right now. “Say I don’t want to play it cool, what then? I’m not going to fight over a guy - come on, you know that isn’t me. And I think it’s pretty clear he’s moved on and he’s happy, right? I don’t really know what’s left for me to do, other than crawl into a deep, deep hole and shrivel up from embarrassment.”

[sommerstessa]

at the oceanic ft. @aubreytaylcr​

Getting the all-clear from her surgeon allowed Tessa to feel more comfortable going out and about, and while she was still incredibly self-conscious about her new body, she knew she’d have to face others eventually. Fortunately, Aubrey was someone she didn’t need to impress, and spending any amount of time with the woman was just easy. That was why she jumped at the opportunity to catch up with the petite woman over some drinks and lunch. “Thank you for insisting on getting me out of the house. You have no idea how much I needed this,” Tessa said, scooping a bit of crab meat onto a cracker and stuffing it into her mouth. Food - real food - had never tasted better. “How have you been? Glad to have Amy back, I bet?”

[sommerstessa]

niaserrano​:

CLOSED STARTER: @sommerstessa​ LOCATION: New Hanover Hospital

“Hey momma,” rolled softly off the woman’s tongue as she stood in the doorway of the room. Normally, the pair were a rather energetic, life-loving duo that were all smiles all day. However, the things that were going on with Tessa and how much of a battle she was facing, made it difficult for Nia to give her all into a smile. That wasn’t to say she wasn’t going to be here complete self and love up on the woman. But she was worried and concerned and unsure of how Tessa was feeling right about now, so she sure as hell wasn’t going to come in guns blazing. “I brought you some stuff. Not sure what you can and can’t have so I just sort of went a little wild.” At her words, she lifted up her oversized bag a bit and offered her up a subtle smile. “How are you feeling? You up for a visitor?” 

Hey momma. The familiar voice drew Tessa’s eyes toward the door, and a small smile appeared on her features. Nia was someone who understood Tessa’s adventurous side, and she was always down for a journey into the unknown. They were hardly ever serious with one another, but their friendship was very serious in and of itself. Her eyes settled on the bag in Nia’s hand, her smile only growing wider at the image. “Thank you,” Tessa said, her voice croaking somewhat thanks to the dryness she was experiencing. Reaching for the cup set on the tray in front of her, she popped an ice chip into her mouth and allowed it to melt slowly. “Of course, come in. Visitors are sort of all I have right now, anyway.” The words weren’t intended to be grim, but she wasn’t used to being so... static. She was growing antsier with every second that passed, and she needed the distraction. “It’s so great to see you. How have you been?”

[sommerstessa]

sfitzpatrick​:

After the weekly visits to see a comatose Jamie the five months his cousin had remained in the hospital, Sean hadn’t been all that eager to return — even for a friend as close as Tessa. Hers, thankfully, was a much shorter stay, and so he’d felt justified in opting for a visit when she was home again, instead. “Good, then they did their job,” he teased right back. He’d suspected she’d see right through his bribery gifts, but that didn’t make the offerings any less valuable, in his eyes. “Sneaking bein’ the important word there,” he added. “If I did it right, nobody’s gonna notice this stuff’s gone — or know where it went. So, enjoy the fruits of my life of crime, ‘cause there ain’t gonna be a repeat performance.”

“No wonder Micah’s so enamored by you - you’re dangerous, Sean Fitzpatrick,” Tessa teased, nudging him with her toe from beneath the blanket. She definitely didn’t want to get Sean in trouble, but she imagined it would be easy to pay for the food he brought and act as though she had placed an order all along. “Speaking of Micah, I’ve been meaning to ask you, have you gone and popped the question yet?” Tessa hadn’t heard anything further on the subject since the shooting, and while she didn’t want to spoil it for anyone, she did need more good news in her life, right next to the fact that Beau and Beth were having a little one.

[sommerstessa]

oliviapcrter​:

It took every ounce of strength and willpower Olivia had not to jump out of her seat with an ear-splinting, resounding yes! to Tessa’s question. What she was asking of her was hardly anything to be ecstatic over. Although, ecstatic’s not really the word Olivia would have used to describe what she was currently feeling. Perhaps, grateful…. or honored… or no, touched. She was touched that, after Tessa’s parents, Olivia was the next, best comforting option. Perhaps, she knew that Olivia would take it seriously, too. She treasured Tessa more than anything and would have, without a doubt, given her the shirt off her back if she ever needed it. Accompanying her to the hospital wasn’t much different but the gravity of the overall sentiment was much larger. “Of course,” she finally answered, after stretching a hand across the table to give Tessa’s a reassuring squeeze. “Just name the date and time and I’m there. Whatever you need, it’s no problem. I’d be more than happy to take you.” Maybe happy wasn’t the right word but, she suspected Tessa knew what she meant. She was happy she trusted her this much. 

time skip~

With all of the support she’d received from her friends and her family, Tessa was feeling overwhelmingly loved and almost too coddled. She knew it all came from a place of concern, and she was forever going to be grateful that she had so many people looking out for her, but she was ecstatic that Olivia had come over with a handful of board games - something that would keep her entertained without needing to have the topic of conversation be her health. After all, she was very over talking about that for now. The surgery happened, she had new breasts, and now she was learning how she felt about it, but it certainly didn’t need to be the only thing her friends spoke to her about. Rolling the die, Tessa watched as they landed and she nodded to her piece on the Monopoly table. “Sorry, do you mind?” the brunette asked, knowing that reaching across the board to move her piece was a little out of her range of motion right now.

[sommerstessa]

beau-haywood​:

CLOSED START FOR: @sommerstessa LOCATION: tessa’s place, masonboro

Beau and Tessa had had what felt like a thousand different discussions about her health predicament, what might happen if one choice was made over the other. There was a great sense of relief that the man felt knowing she was post-op and the risk of far worse things were diminished. Arriving with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and his homemade brisket in the other, Beau precariously balanced the two items as he stepped inside, knowing they didn’t ever have a real policy on knocking. “Hey honey!” Beau’s voice rang out with his ever familiar pet name for his best friend. “I’ve got flowers from Beth and brisket from me, but Baby Haywood sends their love. Kinda useless in the gift department at the moment.” He wanted to keep spirits high, not entirely certain how he’d find Tessa situated or what mood she’d be in.

As soon as she heard his voice and familiar greeting, Tessa was rounding the corner from the kitchen, cup of tea in hand. The house was unfortunately a bit of a mess, even though Madison insisted she’d be doing the laundry sometime soon, and she hoped Beau wouldn’t be concerned about it. It wasn’t like she could do much of anything right now, anyway. “Those are beautiful, and the brisket smells amazing, as always,” Tessa said, waiting for him to join her in the kitchen. Once the brisket was safely placed in the fridge and the flowers found their new home in a vase, she gave him a proper one-armed hug, the best she could do given her limited range of motion. “How is she doing with the pregnancy, anyway?” Tessa asked, wanting to keep the conversation on something positive.

[sommerstessa]

alison-harper​:

“I guess there is some truth to all the stories,” she teased. She knew that talking about the baby wasn’t easy for everyone and it was a hard line to balance. In one moment, she didn’t want to talk about being pregnant at all but then the next, she didn’t really know what else to talk about. So as long as Tessa and whoever else she was talking to felt comfortable enough to ask her about the baby, then she’d answer. “Jaymes, actually. Wanted to be one of those people who give their daughter a name that is deemed a ‘boy’ name just to see everyone lose their shit over it.”

At the explanation behind the name, Tessa let out a laugh. “I fully support that. And it’s a really cute name, too.” She could never understand people who were so strict about sticking to gendered names, especially when the name was so easily unisex. Jaymes happened to be one of those. It made Tessa wonder what she would have chosen if she were in Alison’s shoes, the first time she’d ever actually stopped to think about it. “When is she due again?”

[sommerstessa]

jennyxhayes​:

Jenny slowly nodded her head at her words as she glided her tongue along her lower lip, crossing her arms over her chest. “Yeah,” she let out a soft exhale as she moved her hands out towards Tessa’s arms. “Look at me,” she tilted her head to the angle it had to be in order for the woman to look at her. “Anything and everything you need to say about the situation. This is a safe space. Everything said between the both of us about him and her stays here. That’s it. You need to come over and get sad girl drunk on wine… You got it. You need a wingwoman? You got it. You need a shoulder to cry on about it? You got it.” She cleared her throat. “You got it?”

As much as Jenny was Kevin’s best friend, she had been an amazing friend to Tessa too, something that the brunette would always appreciate and cherish. Her eyes welled with tears ever so slightly at Jenny’s words, growing much more emotional than she wanted to, though it was more because of the nature of their friendship than because of the way she felt about Kevin. Nodding her head in response to Jenny’s offers, Tessa wasted no time in closing the gap between them and pulling her friend in for a tight hug. “I love you, and thank you.” Who would have thought this was where she would have ended up, but at least she had amazing friends to help her get through it.

[sommerstessa]

thaliajennings​:

             Apparently a shopping trip was well and truly required for the blonde, and better yet, getting to indulge in the company of one Tessa Sommers. “What do we think of this?” The young woman questioned, tugging at the latest dress to cross her eyeline, curious as to whether or not it was something she could pull off in the future; likely some form of Wilmington-wide event that usually required her to dress up. It wasn’t as though she was dating, especially with how things seemed to have unfortunately fizzled out with Jason. “I don’t usually do sequins, but it’s not puke-worthy.” She could definitely make it work, and there was the fact that it would show off her best assets, which was always a plus. “So, tell me, Sommers, how have you been?” Thalia questioned, knowing it’d been a little while since the pair hung out one on one, and that was likely her own fault, she’d been hiding away from anyone that could see through her. Naomi one of those too, but she’d also made the effort to actually show up lately. Her friends didn’t deserve the shut-out treatment.

@sommerstessa​

Since her surgery, Tessa was trying to get back to her normal life. It had only been a couple of weeks, but she was making progress in terms of stretches and she was beginning to earn her range of motion back. There was still the dilemma of not quite feeling like her old self, however, and she thought maybe a shopping trip with Thalia would help. The woman was always fun, and it was an activity they would have engaged in beforehand, so why not now? “You already know that’s going to look stunning on you,” Tessa commented, offering her friend a smile. She had the body for anything - even sequins - and it was something Tessa was unreasonably envious of. When the conversation turned onto her, Tessa wondered whether to keep it light or go into detail, but she ultimately decided a shopping adventure wasn’t the best place for her to bring down the mood. “Good. Really good, yeah. I’m hoping to get back to work soon, and then maybe I can get back to figuring out that business I wanted to start, so..” she trailed off, her fingers dancing over a long olive green skirt.

[sommerstessa]

lucasxreeves​:

Lucas could tell Tessa was joking but playing along, Lucas set the bear on his lap and away from the view of the door, “Happy now?” He said with a chuckle before shaking things off. Watching her, he noticed her shift and figured she might’ve been in a bit of pain. It seemed like such a different sight of Tessa than what he was used to –– he had always known her to be a free spirit traveling the world and going on adventures but now it seemed like she was figuratively chained to a hospital bed and out of her element. “If you ever need somethin’ stronger let me know” He offered. What else could a former drug dealer off to a friend in need other than some top-shelf pain killers? “And if you’re really bored I don’t mind sneakin’ you out to have some fun either” He added, though he was sure he’d be scorned for it by literally anyone else in her life.

Tessa was quick to chide Lucas at his offer of giving her some stronger medication, ones that certainly wouldn’t be prescribed to her. She wasn’t the type, and he knew that, but it was an offer that came out of a place of love, Tessa thought. “I appreciate that, but you know that isn’t me. I’ll be okay.” And she believed it, despite the shakiness in her voice as she spoke those words. Tessa was a fighter and a survivor, and this experience would be no different. She’d already been shot and lived through that - certainly she could handle the pain of a major surgery. “As for your second offer, well, what did you have in mind?”

[sommerstessa]

penelxpebradley​:

“I need you for more than that” Penelope protested, nose wrinkling up as she propped her head up to look over at Tessa. Still she sensed that Tessa was going to be a dog with a bone, and if she was honest having someone to vent to wasn’t the worst idea in the world. Besides it wasn’t like Tessa was going to run her mouth to half the town, she was one of the few people who was capable of holding onto personal information. “Yeah well, maybe you should” the redhead huffed, slumping back in the chair, lips jutting out into a small pout as her gaze wandered down to the table. “Okay so, there was this guy at work and…I don’t know, he was nice and maybe there could have been something there, I don’t know but-”. For a second, Penelope paused, before jumping to her feet and beginning to pace up and down across the kitchen. “I think he definitely thought there was something there and…”. Oooh, there it was. That discomforting sense of shame at how she’d handled the whole thing. “I don’t know we danced at prom and it was nice and then…I went home with Owen”. She shrugged, sighing to herself before she looked back over at the brunette. “And now he’s dating Owen’s cousin and it’s all got a bit weird I guess”

“Back at you, Pen,” Tessa insisted with a soft smile. It was a strange friendship, admittedly, but one Tessa was grateful for. Each and every one of her friends contributed something different to her life, and Penelope was no different. When the redhead finally gave in and began telling the details of what had happened, Tessa kept her eyes focused on her, only realizing how difficult her friend’s situation truly was when Penelope stood and began pacing. Pacing was absolutely a sign of anxiety. At the mention of going home with Owen, the brunette let out a sigh. He wasn’t her favorite Fitzpatrick, that was certain, but if he was the person Penelope wanted to be with, she would support it. “Wait - he’s dating Owen’s cousin? That is more than weird, Pen. That’s uncomfortable.” It was similar to some of the situations Tessa had been in herself, but she had to admit this one took the cake. “Do you think there was something more there? Or is Owen it for you?”

[sommerstessa]

TESSA 📱 REMY

REMY: You do realize you're asking the wrong person, right?! Because I think to adopt a dog at any point in your life, regardless of life-changing surgery, is 100000% a great idea.

REMY: Look at that face. Tessa, if that boy isn't there next time I come over, I'm gonna be so sad. Just sayin'

TESSA: You're saying that as someone who wouldn't be responsible for taking care of the dog, though.

[sommerstessa]

TESSA 📱 MATIAS

MATIAS: I guess I am. That okay?

TESSA: I think so.

[sommerstessa]

kevhoffman​:

It became pretty apparent pretty quickly that Tessa was out of it but he hadn’t really expected anything else. Other than maybe her immediate family, Kevin suspected that he would be her first visitor here. Liv had been the one to drop her off at the hospital and had given him the in on where she’d be, so he might have been possibly jumping up in the line of visitors she would surely have. All he wanted was to see for himself that she was okay, given that things in his life were just getting to be great. Chuckling, he nodded his head and lifted up the flowers. “Pretty flowers for you, you trooper,” moving over to place them in the vase beside her bed, he sat down beside her and took in her appearance; feeling a relief set in now he could see her for himself. “Not everything but I do alright. How are you doing, though?”

“For me?” Tessa said, her smile widening even more. “Awwwww.” The word was drawn out, emphasized, and she laughed at the way she spoke a moment later. Her eyes settled on him as he claimed the chair beside her bed, instantly allowing her to feel better. Safer. Protected. “Me?” She raised her arm to point at herself, completely unfazed by the surge of pain that course through her chest at the action. Thank God for morphine. “I’m happy you’re here.” Though she definitely wouldn’t be tomorrow. “I was just thinking to myself - Tessa, you know what would make you feel better? Kevin. Because Kevin always makes you feel better.” There was another laugh, and she dropped her arm back to her side, head turning towards him. “And now here you are. And I feel better.”

[sommerstessa]

stephlenox​:

“Not really,” Steph said with a chuckle. “Actually, I don’t know how I’d be doing it without Kip. I’m just glad he’s down the hall.” Glad that he always seemed to be there when she needed him; that she never seemed to have to ask for his help, because he was so often already on top of things. “A little, but he actually isn’t that picky,” she answered. “Just prefers being held to chilling on his own. He’ll sleep on his own, he just– likes people.” And, catching the way Tessa’s glance landed on Parker, she asked, “You want to hold him for a bit?”

“How is everything going between the two of you, anyway? I don’t want to pry, but I have to admit, I’m curious about the whole co-parenting thing. And if you don’t want to go into detail, definitely don’t feel obligated to.” Really, Tessa couldn’t imagine how Steph wouldn’t be tempted to sneak into Kip’s room down the hall whenever she pleased considering the way he looked. “Sounds like he’s going to be quite the social butterfly when he grows up,” Tessa commented. Her next thought was how absolutely strange it felt to imagine the next generation wandering through the halls of their old high school, but this wasn’t the time to complain about how old she felt. Tessa straightened her back at Steph’s offer, almost as if she were caught texting in the middle of class. A part of her absolutely longed to hold the baby, but she was also terrified she would fall in love with it. With the intimacy. With the idea of creating life. And then, because Tessa wasn’t one to succumb to fear, she nodded her head slowly. “I’d love to.” She wasted no time in holding out her arms, making sure they were appropriately spaced to cradle his neck, and waited for Steph to assist in passing him over to her.

[sommerstessa]

weston-taylor​:

TUESDAY, JULY 21ST, 2020. → at the SOMMERS RESIDENCE. featuring: @sommerstessa​.

                  Once Wes had heard of Tessa’s surgery and the success that came with completing it, he had wasted very little time in picking up some necessities on his signature Taylor care basket. One brand new mug for sipping, a new and warm blanket to curl up in, a sweatshirt with the marina’s logo on the chest, tossed together with a couple of baked goods that he definitely didn’t make and a few of his favorite Adam Sandler movies. He figured Tessa might be a bit more mobile by that point since her surgery, but Weston also knew she was in for a lot of resting. The southerner didn’t even bother to wait out her effort in opening the door for him when he drummed his hands against her door and let himself inside, whistling at the sight of the woman in a messy pointy and a sleepy look on her face. “Damn, Sommers. You’re killin’ it.” He grinned and kicked the door shut behind him, then held the basket up. “Brought you some goodies. How ya feelin’?”

The visitors had been in and out of her house non-stop, much to the dismay of her newest house guest, Madison. There may have been an almost run-in while Madison was still in her underwear, and Tessa was still apologizing over that one. Luckily, her new roommate had left earlier that day, and when Weston snuck through the front door, Tessa was curled up on the couch, book in hand. Hearing the whistle, a smile immediately formed on her lips and she lifted the book to cover her face shyly. “Westooon.” The name left her lips in a playful tone of voice, as if berating him for embarrassing her, but hardly upset. When he mentioned ‘goodies,’ she lowered the book, her eyebrow rose, and she reached out for the basket. It was then that she spotted the Adam Sandler movies and couldn’t help but laugh. “I mean, I was doing okay until you decided to gift me with Baby Daddy. Adam Sandler was your go to actor of choice? Explain that one to me,” she teased.

[sommerstessa]

matiasgarcxa​:

“You think about it a lot?” Matias couldn’t help the question that followed her confession, however small a confession it was. Nor could he help the way his stomach sank at the thought. It wasn’t like he’d known Tessa very long – since he’d moved to Wilmington, maybe even shorter. It had all started to blur together, now, those first few months. The first year, really, but it was a whirlwind he was thankful for, for the people he’d met, who’d become his friends. And Matias knew he was lucky, that for the most part, those who’d entered his life had remained there. He just wasn’t eager to see Tessa go. He cleared his throat, then clarified– “Leaving, I mean. For good, and not for a little while.” For the kind of getaway they were currently on, though it seemed even this wasn’t common for her.

Part of Matias was amazed at how quickly the day flew by, how lighthearted he felt, how much fun he was having. The rest was busy soaking it all in, and being present as they explored the area around their campsite. Talked occasionally, but also didn’t need to break the quiet of their surroundings. And when it came time for dinner, how easy it was to to work as a team preparing it, as they had worked setting up their tent.

It was good, too, or maybe it was just all the time outside, but he finished even before Tessa. He’d been hungry, as he hadn’t been for a long time. With his stomach full of good food, and the company even better, he was content to simply sit and enjoy the fading light. As Tessa set her bowl aside and leaned back, he soon followed suit, stretching his legs out as he looked up at the night sky. Wilmington wasn’t a bright lights kind of city, but even there, the stars were dim compared to the shining brightness above them. “I’m just glad I don’t have to chose,” he remarked softly. “There’s enough – too many, really – choices out there, already. From the moment you wake up, to when your head hits the pillow. And half of them probably don’t even matter.” Maybe, probably, even more than that. “Funny how the stars can make you feel so small and so big, all at once.”

“Not so much anymore.” Though, that didn’t always make her happy. If anything, it confused her. She had always known exactly who she was, exactly who she wanted to be. She was a travel enthusiast, someone who adored learning about new cultures, experiencing new people, and taking in new languages. She lived her life out of suitcases and jumping from one airplane to another. She expressed herself best through written word and photographs, and yet all of that seemed to have disappeared since moving back to Wilmington. Still, she was happy to be back. Knew she’d figure out something. And there was still the chance for her business idea to take off.

He had a point, Tessa thought, when he mentioned all of the choices one made on a daily basis. It may not have seemed like a choice, but they all were - from the outfit you wore to what you had for lunch that day. Some were more difficult than others, but it was nice to be able to sit back and let things just happen. Be. Exist. That was why she loved nature so much. It was the perfect place to simply exist. “Want to know a secret? One of them is named after me. God knows I could never remember which, but I have the paperwork to prove it. A gift for my thirteenth birthday once my dad realized how much time I spent in the backyard, just alying there staring up at the stars.”