hallelujah you're home

zara sofia vasquez aguilar. twenty-nine. twin sister. dog walker. veterinarian in training. homestead, florida.

[zaravasquez]

     FASHIONS FADE, STYLE IS ETERNAL

Zara only ever wears neutral-coloured clothes. Real colour comes in the form of blue denim: jeans, shorts, jackets. She loves jackets. They make her feel secure. When the weather cools down, she’s always wearing a jacket. Her style is high-necks, or plain white shirts. Button-down blouses. Adidas or Nike shoes, or no-brand boots from Target. It’s rare for her to be in a dress. She only owns one skirt, and it’s leather. Stripes, or checkers, are always a given: black and white combined. She loves wearing a watch, ‘cause it’s something to fiddle with. Jewelry is always simple: studs in her ears most of the time---but she does, on occasion, like to dress an outfit up with dangly earrings. No necklaces, just in case the dogs attack them, or get tangled. Her hair is either styled up in a ponytail, or a bun, or down. Straightened, or naturally wavy. In Homestead, sunglasses are a given---no matter the season. 

[argentline-deactivated20160330]

[zaravasquez]

aaliyahwinthrop:

“Not helping Zara!” Aaliyah exclaimed when the other pointed out at least this time it was the dog and not the woman causing trouble. She didn’t think she was that much of a troublemaker. Sure, she had forgotten a change of clothes and a towel before she decided to jump into the water the first time they met and then she forgot her keys inside her apartment the next time, but that didn’t mean she was always causing trouble. “You know all my accidents happen around you. I’m starting to get suspicious of you Vasquez. You wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with my series of unfortunate events would you?” As she spoke she stepped out of the flip flop that was now definitely going into the trash. She wouldn’t ever be able to see it as anything but Hugo’s excrement now. 

“Pure coincidence.” Zara shook her head firmly. “You’re telling me that shit like this only happens around me?” Literal shit, with Aaliyah stepping out of her shoes. “If you won’t come back and let me clean these up, at least let me buy you a less-crappy pair from Kmart, or something.” Crappy as in cheap, this time. “Or at least food?” At the sound of that, Justin Bobby brushed against her ankle, tail hitting her leg at a rapid pace. 

[zaravasquez]

nadiacamlow:

Nadia was starting to wonder what it was exactly this girl was looking for – or who, more likely. She frowned, considering her questions and trying to decide what answers were best to offer her. “I don’t meddle with things like that because I’ve heard about the kind of chaos they can cause. A direct line isn’t always best, despite what people think.” She had never tried, never met anyone who tried, but that was because her family liked to pass down the horror stories of what could come of attempting to contact the dead. Besides that, there had never been anyone Nadia wanted to speak to again after they were gone.

She sighed softly, knowing those answers wouldn’t be satisfying. She wanted to find a way to compensate, to make up for the disappointment. “We can do this either way,” she admitted, setting her deck on the palm of her hand and holding it up between them. “I can do a spread, a set of cards that will create a kind of story based on a singular question.” That was the norm, what most people came for. “I can also cut the deck. That will give you a singular card for multiple questions. I’ll do whatever will help you most.”

“That’s fair.” Zara nodded, chest deflated. It wasn’t right to ask for such a thing in the first place. This wasn’t what she came for. She came to find out about Justin Bobby---see what was in the cards for him and his health. How much time he had left. This was about the future, not the past. Not about Javi. “I just...” Maybe it wasn’t searching for Javi, but searching for someone to talk to. The circumstances surrounding his death were still somewhat of a mystery, and had become an unspoken topic over the years with her family. “I guess I want answers... Surrounding the death of a loved one.” Despite the warm weather outside, there was a chill inside the room. It crept over her skin, and she wondered if she was imagining it, or hoping for it. Zara swallowed. Licked her lips wet. 

Nadia gave her the card options. I’ll do whatever will help you most. “Do whatever you think is best. I mean, you’re the expert, right?” This was an unprecedented experience for Zara. “Which method do you prefer?” ‘Cause maybe passing the focus over to Nadia would calm some anxiety, or doubt, or fright about the situation.

[zaravasquez]

hollydharrison:

Zara’s immediate wanting to help and make it up to Holly what just happened wasn’t at all surprising. In the time that Holly has known Zara, she was always the nicest, most helpful person in the world. “No,” she breathed out, pouting lightly. “No, my feet haven’t grown but also no, you don’t have to do that. I’ll…live…maybe…” She sighed, taking a small step back from Zara as she started to shake her shoe, hoping to at least clean it up a little. She was pretty sure she was going to have to take a hose to the shoe to get it actually cleaned but it wouldn’t hurt to try to clean it a little while she was still wearing the shoe. 

Holly was focused on trying to do just that when the dog came over to her, causing her to jump back again. “Oh my, Zara! What is wrong with this dog?!” She may be overreacting but in her defense, this was starting to be a pretty pet unfriendly day for her. “Uh, since like…five minutes ago when I put on these shoes and jogged from my front door to right here? I don’t know…I always thought it was a terrible thing to do but you know, don’t knock it until you try it and I’ve now tried it and it’s terrible. I’m never jogging again.” 

Holly’s solution involved shaking her ankle, her shoe, to get rid of the shit. “C’mon, we’re not far from home.” Zara wasn’t one to stand in someone’s way. She wasn’t one to be stopped for. If she knew anything, it was that accidents happened. From shit on the sidewalk, to a car swerving out of control. Zara didn’t want to stop Holly from running. A frown creased her forehead. “He’s a puppy, Harry, it’s okay.” She tried to lighten the mood with a little laughter, albeit forced, and the use of her nickname for her neighbor. Only words, ‘cause Zara felt like she had to make up for the entire encounter. “We can go back, get you some clean shoes, and go jogging together? With the dogs?” Or maybe not, with the way Hugo was acting. “Or we can sit in my backyard. I can make tea.” She suggested. Needed a run, at this point---she needed to shake this feeling away and get moving again. 

[saintedits]

[peraltiagogifs]

[zaravasquez]

@aidenfoster

[zaravasquez]

rhyswyles:

Rhys gratefully accepts Zara’s water bottle. “I’m Rhys,” he says simply, tipping over the bottle and carefully pouring out just the smallest bit possible onto his sneakers. He is not about to take all of the water from the two innocent-ish pups. (He’s still not sure which one is the culprit.) “I appreciate both your quirky dog names and extensive knowledge of the man behind the quirky dog name.” He scrapes his shoe against the sidewalk again.

“You mentioned that only he–” he pets Justin Bobby on the head, “–is yours. Are you dog sitting, then?” he asks, giving Hugo a pat. He hands the bottle back to Zara, giving her a grin.

‘Nice to meet you’ felt too... ironic? to say aloud. Zara was almost thankful, then, that Rhys busied himself with cleaning up his shoe with the water. This time, when he scraped his shoe against the concrete, more dog shit smeared off onto the sidewalk. “Thank you, Rhys.” She accepted the compliment---Justin Bobby was a unique name, okay? A man (a dog) so great, he needed two names. She almost went to make the joke that he was the original JB, or Justin, not Justin Bieber or Timberlake---but she’d awkwardly said that line too many times now. It’d been over a decade, after all. 

“Oh,” she popped her mouth, a little surprised by the question. Zara pulled her wallet out of her pocket and slipped out a business card. “Dog walking and daycare.” She briefly explained before handing the card over. In turn, he gave her back the water bottle. Hugo sat, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. She poured the remainder of the liquid into the cylinder and held it out for him to drink. “Hugo is a new client. He’s still a baby. I’m sorry about your shoe.” She apologised again. “Did you get all of it off?”

[zaravasquez]

marivcsquez:

Truthfully, Mariana thought that the hype of this whole ninja thing would’ve died down within a few months of the show airing. But here they were, nearly a year later, and for every kid she lost after a week, she would gain two more. It had gotten to the point where she had to start sending kids to other instructors because she couldn’t attend to every kid, even with multiples classes a day. But it was fun, watching young kids channel their passion into something constructive - this had been her, only a couple of years ago. Young and excited and eager to learn. It was crazy, but she loved it.

She also loved when classes were over - sure, she loved the kids, but she liked some time to herself, too. She waved to Zara through the door while she helped the last of the kids out of the harnesses, giving out high fives and congratulations for a general job well done. The kids were impressive, a little positive reinforcement never hurt. She held the door open to let everyone filter out before heading over to Zara. “Hey there, stranger.” It had only been a couple days since Mariana had seen her sister, but in the scheme of things, it might as well have been years. “Nobody cried, so I consider that a good day.” She patted her sister on the shoulder before gesturing over to the walls. “What do you say, want to give the wall a try?”

Feeling like strangers meant only a little time spent apart when it came to Zara and Mariana. That’s the thing they never tell you about being a twin: what it’s like when you grow up, and move out, and move on---and Zara so very much supported her sister in all of her endeavours, and in her success with American Ninja Warrior, but she missed her so much when she was away. Supporting her from the sidelines wasn’t the same as being by her side, and doing things like this. Call it jealousy, maybe, (their father probably would) but Zara called it closeness. With the gym emptied out, she felt comfortable. She could be herself when she was with her family, ‘cause they were different, but the same. 

“What’s that line from that movie? 10 Things I Hate About You? ‘It’s only 4:30.’” Mariana squeezed her shoulder, and Zara moved to grab a harness. “I mean, that’s what I’m here for.” She joked. There was a lightness in her step, now. She was just glad to be with her best friend. “How about... You give me a tiny headstart, and I bet I can beat your ass.” It wasn’t possible, and Zara knew her sister wouldn’t go easy on her. She was all cardio, okay? Strength wasn’t a strong suit. “You leave soon.” She fixated on strapping herself into the harness properly, and hoped that the slight sadness didn’t tinge her words. “Are you feeling prepared?”

[zaravasquez]

darcyontherhodes:

Darcy was breathing hard, trying to catch her breath, and when you stepped into dog poo, that is never a good thing. She felt the smell hit her hard and nothing, absolutely nothing about it has been pleasant and she scratched at her nose. “It’s ok, don’t worry about it,” she smiled at Zara. “I could have looked where I stepped as well.” It’s probably been months since she saw her ex-boss and… well, she wasn’t completely sure if any other title could be said about Zara, she could never decide on that part. But she definitely liked the girl, and despite the circumstances she was glad they ran into each other.

She was standing on the sidewalk with her leg raised which must have been a pretty ridiculous sight from the outside, and think about asking Zara if she had some tissue or something she could clean her shoe with when the other girl offered and she couldn’t help but smile. “You’re a lifesaver, you know that? But if you’ve got anything I could clean it with, I can do it too,” she said before she bent down to take off her shoe, only to stop in mid-motion. “No teasing the socks, ok? Nobody was supposed to see,” she added, trying to sound serious, but not being able to pull it off to well, before she got the shoe off and revealed blue short cut ankle socks with Sebastian from the Little Mermaid on it.

“We could be simply cursed,“ Darcy chuckled and crouched down to the two dogs. It was probably better, before she said something embarrasing or something. “So, one of you two was the culprit, wasn’t it?“ she asked the dogs with a super serious tone, looking from one to the other as if expecting an actual reply. Instead of getting one, JB licked her face with a wagging tail and Darcy laughed. “It’s nice to see you too, buddy. I think he likes me,” she added, looking up at Zara with a grin.

A lifesaver? Darcy was giving her way too much credit. It was all nervous energy. “It wasn’t your fault.” She offered up her arm for Darcy to use, just in case she needed balance. Just ‘cause Zara might’ve wanted the touch. See if there was nothing (anything) there. But Darcy steadied herself, and planted both feet back on the ground. Arched down to untie the laces on her sneakers. Zara wasn’t sure if she was comfortable enough for teasing. Not yet, anyway. It was like riding a bike. She had to test out how hard, how slow, she had to brake, so she could stop at a safe distance. Darcy was light, and trying not smile, with The Little Mermaid novelty socks peeking out of her shoes. “Wow.” Zara curled her fist over her mouth, hiding her laughter.

“I’m more of a Lion King girl myself, but...” She found her fingers in Justin Bobby’s fur, stroking. Simba and Nala were definitely on her list of puppy names. “I love them.” Her own socks were white and plain, yet the common ground between them felt like stability. Hadn’t that been the thing in the first place? When they worked together? She wasn’t sure. Zara took the sneaker out of Darcy’s hands, and kneeled to scrap it against the sidewalk. Then, she moved to the grass. “I think you might be right there.” Zara said without looking at the girl, instead getting out the water bottle as a last resort and hosing down the sole of the sneaker. She waved it around, scrubbed it on the ground some more, until it could only be seen in the crevices of the sole.

Hugo acted innocent enough. Justin Bobby’s attention was elsewhere, licking a kiss to her face. “He probably remembers you. Your scent.” In the past, she had always smelled nice. Zara tried not to dwell on it, focusing back on the matter at hand and returning Darcy’s shoe. 

[zaravasquez]

nadiacamlow:

Vasquez. The name rang a bell so Nadia gave a nod of understanding, letting Zara take a look around without a word. She didn’t mind if people wandered; she didn’t keep anything out in the open that she was concerned for. When Zara alluded to her being omniscient, Nadia gave a soft laugh of surprise. “No, I didn’t,” she assured her. “I’m not all-knowing, though if I wish I were. It would definitely make life easier.” She was mid-shuffle of her deck now when the subject of spirits was raised and her hands stilled on the cards. 

Focusing on Zara, she slowly shook her head. “It’s not something I’ve personally attempted before. I believe methods of fortune telling do involve a connection to a beyond but aside from that, no. I’ve never spoken to spirits before.” She knew her grandmother saw things that she couldn’t understand but the woman had been much older when that began and her family had put it off as old age setting in. Nadia wasn’t sure what she believed.

That was embarrassing. 

This was foreign territory. That, in and of itself, was spiking her anxiety. She pulled at a loose thread on the table cloth to keep her hands busy. Nadia was shuffling the tarot cards. “Definitely.” Zara replied, only to fill the space between them with a different kind of noise. Her voice was small, quiet. Hesitant. 

Disappointed. This visit might’ve been motivated by Justin Bobby, and the cancer that ate at his bones, but... Javi lingered at the back of her mind. A question that had been unanswered for years. Maybe that’s where her anxiety was bred---maybe that’s why she was so constantly on edge. Always wondering, always waiting. “Nothing like the movies? Like séances, or oujia boards?” Zara asked, finally making eye contact with the woman. Holding out on hope. If fortune telling involved a connection to the greater beyond, maybe that would be strong enough to give her the answers she was searching for. Zara cleared her throat. “How does this work? Do I... Do I ask questions? Or do you just... Look at the cards and tell me?”

[zaravasquez]

rosalietorelli:

         Rosalie enjoyed a good of catching up with friends, especially with Zara who seemed to have been there since day one. As she kept Asher from sucking on his thumb, reading somewhere it would have made his teeth shift crooked and she wasn’t exactly excited to get the kid braces if it came to that. Turning her dark eyes towards Zara and grinned happily, keeping a hand held with Asher as she wrapped an arm around her to return a hug. “I would say it’s a bit of a fifty fifty chance. When I told Asher we were going to meet up with you, he suddenly couldn’t recall why he was pouting for. Also he loves JB.” 

She walked into the line with Asher crouched down talking to JB in a quiet voice as he softly pet the dog’s head. Rosalie let out a dramatic sigh, “I wish I could say I met myself a sugar daddy then life would be great. But I would have to say it’s been average, dealing with the preschool caregivers is stressful enough. It seems that Asher is growing a bit of a behavioral problem.” Nudging her side, “What about you, how’s that business of yours doing? Meet any attractive dog owners?” 

Pulling away from their greeting embrace, Zara ducked down to kiss the little boy’s head. “He loves you too, Ash. So do I.” She’d never thought much about kids before meeting Rosalie. They’d met in an aisle at the pharmacy. Zara picking up tampons, and Rosalie picking up a pregnancy test. She was like an Aunt, in that regard. Sort of experienced children in that sort of way---through Rosalie and Asher, and the journey they’d shared together. Justin Bobby was her child, okay? She wasn’t sure she wanted anybody else. Auntie Zara sounded like a good title, anyway. Until Mariana delivered, she was happy with being an Aunt of sorts to Asher.

“A sugar daddy?” Her laughter was incredulous. “Since when have you been looking for one of those?” Zara had heard about the websites. One of the girls in her class at college was in one of those situations---using it to pay her tuition. It didn’t seem like a bad idea. “At least the school year is almost over, right?” Summer was fast approaching. Zara pulled her hair into a ponytail, letting the heat from the sun hit her neck. “Behavioral problem?” Glancing down at the boy, with his hands being licked by JB, Zara cocked her head. “What’s going on?” Glancing back up at Rosalie, she frowned. The line began to move, and they got a little closer to the front of the queue. “It’s been good. Nothing new to report. On the dog or the dude front.” 

[zaravasquez]

rhyswyles:

Rhys squints at the brunette, confused. “Justin Bobby was an asshole?” He stands and Hugo and the Retriever take their places at their mother’s (auntie’s?) side. She had just said that Justin Bobby was an only child. “Sorry, I had no idea. Zoey loved him. If he’s an asshole, why’d you name your presumably perfect Golden after him?” he can’t help but to ask. He briefly wonders where Zoey is these days. She has to be in her early thirties. Hopefully her love of Justin Bobby didn’t carry over to the characteristics she searched for in her real-life partners.

Normally, he’d never put a stranger out by asking for their drink, especially since it’s warm out. “No, I couldn’t…” he insists. “You’re not a Justin Bobby. But I would be if I took your water.” When she swings the bottle in his direction, he is nevertheless tempted. He is wearing his brand new all-white Adidas… “Unless, however, you’re on your way back home, or you have an extra water in your car, or you’re, like, super extra hydrated and can’t drink any more water unless your bladder might explode…”

“Oh yeah.” Zara nods, as if this was common knowledge. If the man was only a boy, being babysat, when he’d watched the show, it made sense that he didn’t know. “’Homeboy wore combat boots to the beach!’” She recited, smiling at one of her favorite Lauren Conrad quotes. He had a good point. “Um, well... I guess I had a thing for a man on a motorcycle?” She hadn’t delved that deep into it, back then as a teenager, or now. Justin Bobby wasn’t the slimy Hollywood Hills guy anymore, anyway---he was her little baby, golden and great and gorgeous. The name might’ve stemmed from something bad, but the dog had made it his own. She almost didn’t associate the two anymore. Not until moments like this.

“It’s for the dogs.” His energy is a little contagious. “Take it, it’s fine.” Zara hands over the water bottle, hoping that it’ll be enough to wash away the dog poo. “I’m really sorry about all of this. I’m Zara.” 

[zaravasquez]

lorenascortes:

Lorena’s morning had been pretty much non-stop, for the most part, the bakery ran like clockwork in the mornings, she’d help prep some of the bread and patisseries and oversee the opening of the cafe and the counter displays. Though as the morning went on her eyes drifted to the clock, waiting for the usual customers and the people who were more than that to her. Her best friend Zara would stop by, almost like clockwork on daily basis, but this morning she was still waiting.

Heading out to the front from the kitchen, Lorena leaned against the back counter and out of the way of her counter assistant. It was something she did often, just watch the people coming and going, though as the doors swung open once again she couldn’t stop herself from looking. The moment she saw her, Lorena smirked at her best friend and moved to the front counter to greet her. “Well for one I’d give you a questioning look,” Lorena responded caustically as Zara took off her sunglasses, “Then I’d judge you really hard and make you one of my mom’s special’s but vegan style, that she used to make me when I mirrored your current state.”

“You are giving me a questioning look.” Her voice was thick with exhaustion. Zara leaned on the countertop, propped up by her elbows. Posture slouched. “Judge this: I can’t even remember how I got home last night.” She didn’t go out very often, but when she did she went hard. Lorena could understand that, right? “Make one for yourself, too, and come join me?” They were both their own bosses, with their own businesses. They were allowed such luxuries. The bakery was bustling with customers, but the staff seemed to have it under control. Enough so for a small break. Zara leaned over the counter to quickly hug her best friend in a proper ‘hello’. Luckily enough, her usual table was empty. Sitting down, she rested her head on the table. 

[humorduke]

[zaravasquez]

- ̗̀ROSALIE  ̖́-

They had agreed to meet at Robert is Here. Zara was letting Justin Bobby take the lead, sending a one-handed text message to Rosalie to say she was almost at the storefront. The place was practically a tourist attraction now, and it was relatively empty for a Saturday afternoon. Zara had so much studying to do that avoidance, and catching up with one of her close friends and her son, seemed like the best plan of attack. 

JB’s greeting came in the form of a bark, bounding toward the little boy. Zara went to Rosalie first. Hugged her and ruffled Asher’s hair. Justin Bobby sat by her feet, looking up with sad eyes. He wanted off his lead. His tail was brushing against the ground. “I don’t know who’s more excited to see you both---me or JB.” She said, a dimple in her smile. “How are you, Rosa?” Zara kept close to her side as they jumped to queue in the line. @rosalietorelli

[zaravasquez]

- ̗̀LORENA  ̖́-

Bread & Butter was one of her favorite places in town. It wasn’t only for the croissants, or the creamy coffee, but for the company. Lorena had been a friend since high school. When Zara used to sneak out at night to go and catch a movie, and Lorena would usher her inside a theater for free. By the time she was fifteen, and starting her first job as a waitress at Olive Garden, Lorena was there, starting too. They got stuck rolling silverware together, and being screamed at by management together, and there was so much time spent that it made it hard not to become close friends.

A creature of habit, Zara spent every morning at the bakery. A girl had to eat breakfast, right? The most important meal of the day? Time spent without Lorena was like time spent without Mariana, her twin. It wasn’t feasible. It didn’t make sense. Saturday morning turned into a brunch-trip today. She had bags under her eyes, and a scratch in her throat every time she tried to talk. “What would you say,” Zara began, approaching the counter, “if I were to order something different today?” She pushed her sunglasses off and up into her hair. “A vegeterian-alternative hangover cure?” @lorenascortes