heart & soul ;

and RESPECT your efforts.respect yourself. self-r e s p e c t leads to s e l f -discipline. when you have both firmly under your b e l t ; THAT'S real p o w e r.

[kaceyrps]

SOPHIA BUSH on INSTAGRAM

[msanonny]

Candice Patton at the 2020 InStyle Magazine Golden Globes party

[oscpia81]

JACOB ELORDI Saltburn - Behind The Scenes

[xwarningsign]

---- JAXTON VICE;

         He was tired, drained from the training and drained from the decisions he had been making. He wasn’t unhappy by any means but Jaxton’s life just felt empty like it was missing something so instead of dwelling on the emptiness, he stayed and trained whoever he could at his pride and joy; his gym. The gym was almost like his sanctuary, the place he could release all his emotions and not feel bad about it, the place he hid himself in from the world. Nobody ever knew where he was unless they knew him. If anyone knew him, it would the woman walking through the front doors. He was just finishing training one of his younger, more angry students, one who needed his help, when she approached them. He told the kid to cool off, do some stretches with one of the other trainers and head home, Jax would see him tomorrow. Grabbing a towel and draping it over his neck, he found him exiting the mock-ring before moving towards his now ex-wifes sister, a curious look and furrowed brows etched onto his bruised, battered, and swollen features from his own reoccurring fights. “Hey.” He muttered quick, taking his gloves off and setting them down before moving closer. What was he supposed to say to her question? No? He couldn’t do that. Especially not to her, not to Zoe. “We can go to my office.” Motioning his head to the side, he directed her to follow him to the office that sat at the back of the gym with its door wide open and pictures of previous fights and old coaches coating the wall. It was more private, where wandering ears couldn’t hear serious and private conversations. “What’s up?” He asked, once taking a seat behind his desk, motioning with a single hand for her to sit. Jaxton knew it had to be serious, especially if she was coming into the gym. 

Zoey had been over this countless times in her head. The pros and cons, although, it really seemed that that list should’ve been contracted awhile ago. No matter what way she played this, she wasn’t really going to win. She thought about not going through with the pregnancy, in order to save face, but after all the trails she went through with wanting kids; how was she really going to terminate something she always wanted because the situation wasn’t exactly ideal? And then there was Daniel, and Quinn. Danny would kill her once he found out about this. After all, he was still her husband, and the smallest thing tended to set him off. She could only imagine the way he’d fly off the handle when he found out she had been with another man, and more than that, was now pregnant by said man. And Quinn, -- sure, Jaxton was the ex-husband, but there was an unspoken rule here, and Zoey knew her sister would make that loud and clear. She also knew she could always pass the child off as Danny’s, that would’ve probably been the safer bet. But the thought of Danny being anywhere near this kid; her kid, their kid, sickened her more then she ever thought possible. Plus, --- Jaxton had the right to know. He absolutely had the right to know, and choose to do with the information as he so pleased. But then why did Zoey feel utterly sick at the thought of any of those choices? Probably because she knew none of those options could end well, including this disclosure. While she knew she’d make clear that she wouldn’t ask for anything from him, that she could do this on her own; she still feared that reaction. The thought that he could very well shut her and their child down right there and then. It was definitely not the ideal situation she had in mind when she finally started a family, but then again, none of this was. She remained rather quiet as he spoke, giving nothing but a small nod when he suggested his office. She would proceed to follow behind him, the knot in her chest only tightening as they got closer to his office. Once inside, the door shutting behind them, she calmly shook her head in refusal as he suggested a seat. “No, uh, --” Pausing, she cleared her throat, “I’m----” Good? Fine? Not even close. Trailing off into silent, she felt the knot travel from her chest into her throat. She was definitely going to be sick. Swallowing thickly in order to keep her lunch down, she’d glance up at Jaxton. Spit it out, Zoe. Just rip the band-aid off, what good was putting this off any longer. Just say it, spit it out, come on! “---I’m pregnant.”  Such little words, yet so heavy in the air. This would be the first time a smile graced her features, yet so fleeing, as the word vomit followed. “--- And it’s okay, because I got it, I do, --- I mean, I’ll figure it out, and I’m not going to ask for anything from you. Because this was my decision, and it doesn’t have to be yours. But I just, I wanted you to know, I didn’t want to keep something like this from you....” She paused, teal hues flickering to the surface of the desk before him as the next few words lingered on her tongue. The sound of them almost too good. Bringing her attention back upon him, she decided she’d allow herself to have them, even if they turned into nothing but a fleeing thought, “We’re having a baby.”

[xwarningsign]

---- RYAN SAMPSON;

         Ryan had showed up outside the coffee shop, early as per usual. He stood there, hands in his pockets, draped in his leather jacket and a ball cap. He had a few unseen bruises from wiping out, bruises that he wouldn’t bring up unless he wanted to give Tess a heart attack. The cut lip was a whole other story as was the cut above his eyebrow, now with stitching type covering the now bruised skin. He knew she didn’t like it, didn’t like his job, didn’t like the pain that came with it all but he had been doing since he was a little kid, living out his dreams. He never thought he’d end up bruised and broken by the time he was thirty but here he was, still standing and still trying. “Oh, you know I’m fine.” He said with a grin, leaving his stoop only to meet her halfway. A grin was plastered on his lips as he got closer, only to stop in front of her. God, the more he looked the more she hadn’t changed and the more he loved the familiarity of it all. Love, that was one word when it came to Tessa. He kept that little thought at bay. He was jolted out of his thoughts when he felt the swift punch collide with his arm. He jumped, instantly lifting his other arm to rub at the tingling spot. “Ow! What the hell?!” Shaking his head, he laughed humourlessly before wrapping an arm around her shoulder and leading them towards the entrance to the coffee shop. “I promise the day I become a vegetable you’ll be the first to know. You can punch me all you want.”

This was simply just who he was; Tessa knew that. Hes been this way for as long as she could remember, but that never seemed to comfort her worry. When Ryan went, he went hard, and while she knew it should be no other way, she always feared that one time. She believed in luck, she did, she had to, since the male was still standing before her. But she also believed that it runs out, and she feared the day she got that call. The call that told her Ryan would never walk through the door again, the one where the nearest thing to hearing his voice again would be to call his phone, and replay his voice mail. These were the thoughts that always rested in the back of her head, and she knew he knew that. But at the same time, the job made him happy, just as hers made her happy. She wouldn’t ever want him to lose that, that does not mean she was ever going to like it. This time. She stopped herself from voicing that thought out loud, instead, she simply glared at him, “Uh-huh.” When he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, she allowed herself to sink into his side, as shes done many times before. Ryan was a comfort in her life, a rock; him and her mother were the closest people in her life, so she allowed herself to relax into him. An arm wrapping around his waist. This would all change within seconds, however, when he went onto make a joke that was, well, very Ryan. Pulling away from him just enough so that she had leeway to sucker punch him in chest. “I know that was a joke, Sampson.” She explained, “But it’s not funny, --- and you can definitely count on that. I’ll even make you sit there and watch all those cheesy romcoms, you’ll be begging me to put you out of your misery.” With a devious smirk, she lightly bumped her petite figure against his, before pulling away from him completely, and moving a few feet ahead of him. “You’re paying. You owe me caffeine, and a cake pop.”

[xwarningsign]

---- SLOANE MAXWELL;

         Sloane had debated on attending at all. Hell, she even thought about burning the damn invitation when she saw it sitting, stuffed in a pile of her mail. She didn’t want to go, not because she wasn’t close to Brooke or because she was a bad friend, but she was busy. And she was scared. She was scared to see him and to see Brooke happy and to be involved in something she didn’t want to be involved in. She’d known the girl since she was a mere child, growing up together and being close friends for as long as she could remember, and to not attend her birthday party, her last birthday party as a free woman? What would that make Sloane? A terrible friend. The blonde knew she couldn’t have that thought looming over her head. So there she was, walking in to a packed bar, dressed in a tight black dress and blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. As soon as she was there, she knew she needed one thing and one thing only; a drink. It would be the only way for her to make it through the night with some sanity. She wasn’t a partier, she wasn’t good in a crowd with people she didn’t know. She was only ever herself when it was people she was comfortable with; her friends, her family, but never strangers. As she began to make way towards the bar, she was haltered in her steps, her baby blue hues coming to land on the man who haunted her past and her mind today. Taking a deep breath, she couldn’t believe the sight before her. James Rollins, the man now marrying her friend, the man she was once with. Giving a brief nod, she tried desperately to avoid eye-contact, instead having her hues wander the bar in hopes of finding someone that would allow her to escape from this situation. Sadly, she found no one and instead decided to accept her fate. “How could I miss all this?” She quietly asked, a small chuckle escaping past her lips as she motioned towards the party, the drunk attendees, and the now hammered birthday girl. “Yeah, you too.” She nodded, plastering on what she could only imagine was a bright smile. “You look good too.” God, she was an idiot, a complete and utter idiot. “–You having fun?” She questioned, motioning towards the purse whose was so clearly Brooke’s. 

James had honestly hoped that Sloane wasn’t going to attend this. He knew it wasn’t exactly her scene to begin with, and in all honestly, it was furthest from his as well. Yet, it was exactly what Brooke lived for. Especially if it was a party she could be the total and complete center of attention. In all honestly, James always wondered exactly how it was that Sloane and his fiance ever really hit it off as friends, to begin with, much less lasting so many years. They were nearly polar opposite in one another, and yet, here they were, a good twenty years later. He pressed his lips together, and pulled them up into a smile that could be spotted fake from a mile away, but he spent the night chasing after his intoxicated fiance; feeling more like a father, then the one who paid for the thing, and promised just as good a night. James looked down at the purse in his hand, as she motioned towards it, momentarily forgetting he had it. Holding it up, he waved it in the air, “Oh, yeah, a blast.” There was really no hiding his discontent at this point. He knew he should’ve done better in doing so, but it was barely two hours into this thing, and he was nothing short of exhausted, and irritated. “Brings me back to my college days, only now, I’m the one splitting the whole bill.”  Why was he sounding so bitter, and miserable right now? Maybe it was all the late nights he found himself pulling lately, maybe it was the fact that he was playing babysitting for a girl who just turned twenty-eight. Or maybe it was because he finally had to lay eyes on the woman he had desperately wanted nothing but to forget. James loved Brooke, of course, he loved Brooke, he wouldn’t be marrying her if he didn’t, right? But there would always be something about the blonde before him that felt as though she had been the one that got away. Something about her that Brooke just --- lacked? Immediately, he shook his head, not interested in furthering those thoughts. “Drink?” He called out, hardly waiting for her response as he gone to turn his back on her, in the direction of the bar. “Everything’s on the house, so whatever you want--- it’s yours.”

[xwarningsign]

[ text  message ] + LILIANA PISANO

Jaxon: I'm down a best man.

Jaxon: Aiden just dyed our kid's hair green.

Jaxon: The house looks like a shit storm went through it.

Jaxon: This is how it's going to end.

Jaxon: I love you, but I'm going to have to kill him.

[6 minutes later]

Jaxon: Why does this man not value life?

Jaxon: Our son looks like that damn orange face, green haired muchkin from that movie about the damn chocolate factory.

[xwarningsign]

---- SLOANE MAXWELL; starter for @cxgitando.

James found himself following behind his fiance, picking up any personal items she manged to leave unattended; most notably, her purse. A never-ending flow of alcohol in and out of Brooke's hands every couple of minutes, music loud, lights flashing -- a birthday girl being the party girl she was before a wife she became. James would come to find himself needing to tear himself away from his drunk fiance, as she continued to refuse to stop drinking, and was now lost in a sea of people being what she was best; the center of attention. Personally, this left James needing a drink, himself. Hell, maybe if he loosened up a bit, this night wouldn't be so horrible. After all, this was the love of his life's day, her birthday, the day that should at all accounts be celebrated. As he reminded himself of that, James turned just in time to find a wave of familiar blonde locks enter the party. For a brief moment, he paused, blue hues taking in the petite figure of a ghost he had once known. A ghost he had least expected to ever have to worry about running into again. He quickly shook off his unbalance, and with grace, a known confidence, the male made his way towards the blonde, an award-winning grin to boot. "Brooke said you'd be here." He greeted out, "But gotta tell you, I didn't believe her." While he knew that Brooke and Sloane were friends, he was almost positive that the second Brooke involved her in this wedding, the blonde would do what she could to keep her distance. But maybe that had more to do with ego then anything else. "You look ---" He took pause, as he glanced down her body, and back up, "---good." The statement was meant to be nothing more then an innocent toss back.

[xwarningsign]

---- RYAN SAMPSON; starter for @cxgitando.

Tessa found herself able to breathe a sigh of relief when her eyes fell upon the familiar figure, just outside their favorite coffee shop. This, however, did not mean she missed the cuts, the bruises, the stitches -- everything that was genuinely just apart of her best friend now. Ryan Sampson was not Ryan Sampson without a few battle scars at this point. "You know, you're gonna drive me to start smoking again, add on heavy drinking, -- maybe even cause this heart attack that's been waiting patiently." She called out to him, her words dramatic, but that's usually how he made her feel when it came to his work. She stopped just before him, eyes heavy on him, the scratches honestly just apart of his features anymore. Without wondering, Tessa would proceed to ball up her fist, and swing it into Ryan's arm, not as a punishment, but a test. "I'm just wondering, can you feel that? Because I'm convinced that you don't have a single nerve cell left in your body."

[xwarningsign]

---- JAXTON VICE; starter for @cxgitando.

Nauseous. That was what she felt, rather it was the nerves, or the hormones coursing through her, she wasn’t sure. But either way, she knew she could no longer put this off. She had finally settled upon a decision, and she needed to face it head on. Of course that was easier said then done with the number of players that were in this mess, but she was tried of running. Tired of having to be the one with their head in the sand, and in a few short months, she truly couldn’t do such anymore. With a deep, steady breath, Zoey walked through the glass doors of the gym owned by Jaxton Vice. Sure if she could find him anywhere, it’d be here. At one point, the same could've been said about Zoe, as she took it upon herself to learn from her former brother-in-law. A skill in which would come in handy moving forward, what she hadn't expected was these twisted turn of events. She moved slowly through the crowded gym floor, blue-green eyes skimming through the mass of people, until they fell upon the male in question. With pure determination, yet, a coat of nerves and fear, Zoey headed towards him. Assuming he was just getting done with a boxing lesson, she made an attempt of a smile once their eyes met; awkward and flat lined though it was. "Hey," She greeted, once she found herself in close proximity of the boxer. "Are you busy?" She asked, her voice low and unsteady, causing her to clear her throat, and aim for a clearer following comment. "I was wondering if we could talk about something."

[xwarningsign]

---- LILIANA PISANO; starter for @lindseymorgan1x1.

Jaxon glanced at his watch for the third time, before back up at the bedroom door; there was still no Liliana. He did his best to remain patient, as he glanced down at his watch for the fourth time. A heavy groan escaped his throat as he tossed his head back against the top of the sofa. "Liliana, we're gonna be late." He called out, keeping his tone calm and collected, "You'd look good in anything, I swear. You can even go in pajamas --- but we gotta go." Just as he finished up, he heard the door click, causing him to swing his head up and towards their bedroom. The smile that would replace the frustration he was feeling moments before was unmistakable, the awe in his eyes as she radiated in a dress that curved perfectly around hers, and most unmistakable, the growing baby bump. Onto his feet in a swift moment, Jaxon moved towards his girlfriend, the awe laced within his features never moving. "Wow," He breathed, as he shook his head slowly, "You look amazing, Lil." It often alluded Jaxon as to how he had been so lucky, that despite everything they've been through, he was still given this smart, beautiful woman. A woman he was going to have a family with, something he never thought possible -- a woman he was going to go on to ask to marry him. Tonight. The woman he wanted through and through, no matter what. It was still such a foreign thought, that he could be happy, but dear god, was he. Made even more clear as he took her in, little for little. "Are we ready now?" He asked, with nothing but adoration and love for the woman before him.

[xwarningsign]

---- AURORA FLETCHER;

CLOSED starter for @djxcotrcna

       Aurora never thought she would move into a town or a state such as Alabama, she preferred the city life, she had better choices when it came to being a wedding planner and tons of ways to make good money quick. But with the fact her grandmother wanted her to come down and visit perhaps a few months with her had the brunette caving in quickly. But as she realized that her grandmother wanted her to live there permitely had Aurora rethinking everything but since she put in the lease deposit she was stuck with her decision all the while working over the phone with her company she started up with a friend. 

“Listen, I know you hate me and I hate you but for the love of god please….please keep the noise level low or I don’t know…have sex where the bed isn’t banging on the god damn wall.” 

Bits and pieces. That was all he could really remember of the night before. He knew there was drinking, and he knew it ended with sex. But other then that, the rest was a blur. Even when the red head still rested in his bed, he hardly saw much else as he made up some story to get her to leave. After much needed coffee, and a shower, Vince had found his way out the front door, and on his way to his brother's bash. However, before he got much further, blue hues fell upon something -- one -- that was so close, yet so unattainable. A sly grin crossed his features as he made his way up towards, "Well, well, ---" He began, but before he could finish his thought, he was cut off. At first he had been taken aback by the out lash, but soon, he found utter amusement in it.

"You were listening?" He asked, "You know, that's a little intrusive." His words teasing, taunting, in their approach, the grin never flattering from his features as he took in the beauty before him. "As an apology, I'd accept you attending a birthday bash with me in fifteen minutes." A far shot in the dark, and he knew it, but that wasn't going to stop him from trying.

[xwarningsign]

---- LACEY JORDAN;

CLOSED starter for @djxcotrcna

     “I told you I’m fine.” Lacey replied once again towards her long time friend, sure she was a little upset with what she just witness but who could blame her when for so long she has been in love with the other. The brunette tried hard to get over this little bump of a crush but soon that crush turned into something more, she tried to find ways to admit to her best friend which resulted her to constantly avoid the subject. Running her hand through her hair and turned around to smile, “Why don’t you go back to your company for tonight, I’ll be fine. I think I seen Jake in the party so I’ll catch a ride with him.” 

"You do realize that I've known you long enough, that when you say you're fine--- in that tone," Trevor began, eyes upon her firmly, as his own smile and easeness slowly began to fade. Clearly something was up, and the way she was deflecting throw him off. "then you're not fine." He crinkled his brows as she mentioned his date, not at all picking up on what that meant to her. "Savannah?" He questioned her, more then aware that that how to be who she was referring to. Since not only had they strolled into the party together, but had been going hot and heavy moments before. "She mingling right now." He told her after a moment, "Plus I doubt Jake is sober enough to get you home. I'm not too busy to make sure you get home safe, Lace. So, how about we let me do that?"

[alaskawritcs]

@burkhydcs

      “I told you this was a huge mistake, now we look like a couple of idiots trying to look awesome.” Elizabeth groaned as she leaned against the table with her hands covering her face. She was a little burnt out from the smoke session from two hours earlier.

[xwarningsign]

Elliot was still feeling pretty damn awesome, in fact, too good. The easy smile upon his features making that more then clear, until it faded somewhat, as he shot Libby a look. “See, this is what I mean.” He tossed back, “You’re a buzz kill. I don’t know who you’re talking about, but I know damn well, I am pretty fuckin’ awesome.” Narrowing his eyes, “Come on, Lib, don’t flake out. I’ll make it worth your wild.”

[xwarningsign]

STARTER FOR @mistress-thor ;

After a forty-eight shift at the hospital, there was nothing more that Liz wanted to do then crash upon her best friend's couch. She knew she probably should've went home, but there was a part of that simply didn't want to go home; home to her fiance. Mainly because all he seemed to talk about was the wedding, and how he wanted her to meet his best friend. The guy he wanted to be his best man. At this point, it'd seem she was just slightly over the whole thing, but maybe that had more to do with the input of her father and step mother. Either way, the auburn haired girl gave a quick knock upon her friend's door, before barging on into the other's home. "Honey --- I'm home!" She greeted, a smirk upon her features as brown orbs fell upon her bestie; her maid of honor. "I've done nothing but cut people open in the last few days. I need some girl time, and you're the winner." She demanded, "Just you, and I."

[xwarningsign]

STARTER FOR @cxgitando ;

Eight months. Dimitri had been at this job for eight months, and he had yet to see just why he was needed. The Garcia's had hired him to keep a close eye on their heiress and while she could seem rather rebellious at times, it was never anything to quite worry about. In Dimitri's eyes she was as most children were to their parents, just another being trying to find their own way in life. One that wasn't anything of which her parents might've hoped for. To him, this was normal. Yet, to the girl's parents, it was unacceptable. Either way, Dimitri had done as he was told. To come off as a friend, to not lead on to the fact that he was only there as a means of her parents close eye. As a man who knew how to deceive the eye, it had been a piece of cake. What he hadn't expected, however, was to find himself truly fascinated by the way the heiress' mind seemed to work. She wasn't like most he came into contact with, in fact, had he not known the whole story already, he wouldn't even had quite known that she was one. As she always seemed to come off modest, and down to earth. Maybe it was this that made it so easy to effortlessly be around her.

Rapping his knuckles against the surface of the metal door, once, twice, three times. Yet, no answer to any of it, Dimitri placed his hand upon the door knob and turned it. A slight unease formed in the pit of his stomach when the door proceeded to pop open. Something, in which, he knew he had warned her about before. He proceeded to enter the home, as he closed the door gently behind him. Dark hues taking in the surroundings as he proceeded forward carefully, "Mil---" He called out, and to no prevail, he was left hanging. Moving towards the hall, eyes upon the open door way of her bed room, he moved with precaution as there seemed to be a breeze in the air. Entering the room, his head towards the open glass door of the balcony. Long auburn locks moved in the breeze, as the petite figure seemed lost within her work. From where he stood he could tell she had paint down her arms, and if he had to take a guess upon her clothing as well. Without a word, he moved carefully, catlike in his silence, towards the balcony door. Leaning a shoulder up against the edged frame, he crossed his arms over his chest, and spoke, "What have I told you about leaving your door unlocked?"

[xwarningsign]

---- AIDEN PORTER;

Aiden was at the Jackson’s house babysitting while Ser was out doing some shopping with Dylan and Erik was at work. He expected the father of three to return home soon before Ser and Dylan could walk through the door with a thousand shopping bags. Leaving the two twin boys in the living room, sitting and watching How The Grinch stole Christmas and Ana popping some popcorn in the microwave. Aiden glanced up every few seconds to check on them. Teddy bears and toys scattered all over the living room floor, he knew his ass was grass when Ser was back. Hearing the front door creek he looked over to see Erik. “Bro, tell me why i’m going to like die before i’m 50. Google says if you take acetaminophen or Advil to cure a hangover your killing your liver. My pee is going to have to hang off of my hip like a pocketbook. Help me! Dylan might find someone else to like then, and then I can’t babysit anymore and i’m sure your wife would be very happy about that. What do I do?”

@cotrcna

Normally, Erik would almost dread walking into his house after knowing Aiden had been left in charge. Simply because while he knew the man was good with his kids, he also knew that there were days where he was just as much of a kid as his three young ones were. Yet, today, he simply couldn’t care about what he might’ve walked in on. Because the truth was, he was exhausted, and the only real thing he could think about was cuddling up with his kids and passing out in front of the TV. The second he popped open the door, he was greeted with two dogs, followed by the twins. Rushing towards him like a train, they clung onto his legs, while the two dogs sniffed and jumped. “Hey --- hey, --- down.” He called out to the puppies, before kneeling down to scoop up Zak, while Levi got distracted by Rocky. Moving his way towards the living-room, where his daughter kept busy in her own world, he’d come to sit Zak down, who’d then go running towards his sister. Levi not far behind, as blue hues fell upon Aiden, who had then began speaking. Eyes widening, as he came to the knowledge that he was on his computer. Again. “Dude --- tell me why you’re on my laptop.” He tossed back, “Do you know how much work it takes to convince Serenity that I’m not the one who downloaded porn? I swear to god, let me find anything like that on that damn thing after you leave.” Furthering himself into the room, closer to his friend, “Oh, I don’t know --- how about, maybe, not being a hypochondriac?”