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taruusmoon · 5 months

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I MISS YOU, AND I’M SORRY, BADA LEE

a/n: Dal means moon in kr, and dalbit means moonlight. Used of Minka Kelly as adult Jessica, and Natalia Azahara as young Jessica. English is not my first language in sorry if there is something bad.

Masterlist

Chapter1: The Beginning.

There were two things Jessica could never change about herself, no matter how old she was. And those were that she didn't know how to say no and that she was always going to want to see Bada Lee one last time. And those were the main reasons why she was currently inside a recording room at Nemare Record, with a woman touching up her hair and a guy placing a small microphone in her white blouse, about to tell her worst love story for the documentary of the woman who had broken her heart so many times many years ago.

“Do you feel comfortable?” asked the girl in charge of the interview, who was sitting across from her with a soft smile and a spark of excitement in her eyes. “We'll do this as quietly as possible and I'll go at your pace, okay?”

Jessica nodded without saying anything. The truth was that she felt quite comfortable; she didn't think it would be difficult to tell her side of the story, and also, for some strange reason, the girl gave her a sense of security and confidence, even if she didn't even know who she was, her name, or the relationship she had with the Lee sisters.

“May I know what your name is?” Finally, after thinking about it for a long time, Jessica asked. “I thought the person who was going to interview me was Juliana”

“I've been waiting for that question since you passed that door." the girl with the big round eyes answered with a smile. “But I think I'll tell you later. Juliana was going to be the interviewer, but there were some sudden changes. I hope you don't mind.”

“Oh no, don't worry about me; it's fine” she replied. “It's just that you remind me of someone.”

The girl smiled but didn't answer; instead, she looked at the door of the office.

“You're ready” murmured the girl who was fixing Jessica's hair. “You have very nice hair.”

In a soft way, Jessica murmured a thank-you, accompanied by a smile, and the girl said goodbye with the man who had been in charge of placing the small microphone in her blouse. Soon, Lindsey, the main producer of the documentary and the one who had insisted so much on her participation, approached the interviewer, talked about some other changes in the interview, and handed her a notebook full of notes.

“Hey Jess” the door to the recording studio opened, and in walked Brody Rosales with a big smile on his lips and open arms, ready to wrap Jessica in a tight hug. “It's been so many years; how do you feel about the lights? Don't they make you uncomfortable?”

“The truth is, I don't know how I should feel," she replied with a wrinkled nose. “It’s been a long time since I've been in front of a camera with so many lights.

Brody let out a laugh along with Lindsey, causing a slight smile on Jessica's face.

“Don't worry, you look good” Lindsey said, walking with Brody behind the cameras to sit in the chairs. “I don't want to rush, but it's time to start the interview" she said, looking at Jessica for a few minutes before proceeding. “Whenever you are ready, Jessica.”

With a long breath, she wiped the sweat from her hands on the satin pants she was wearing. “I think I'm ready.”

Brody nodded and raised his hand, giving a signal to the assistant cameraman. The boy placed the clapperboard in front of the lens and made it sound, starting the interview that would give way to all the memories of what Jessica once lived.

“Tell me Dal” The girl began to speak when the man behind the camera indicated her. Jessica felt her heart pound against her chest, surprised that the girl in front of her had called her by a name she had refused to use again. “Tell us about your start in this story: where you were born and how you met the Lee sisters.”

“I was born in Colombia on June 1, 1976” she began after a few seconds, still surprised at what had just happened. “My mother died in childbirth, and I was left in my father's custody until he also died of an overdose when I was eight years old. Since then, my aunt has taken care of me.”

“How did you come to the United States?”

“When I was nine years old, my aunt was given the opportunity to move to Los Angeles because the company she worked for opened a branch here, and they were looking for experienced people to work here. We were not a family that had everything, but my grandparents fought for their children to have an education so they could have a good job.”

“Was it there that you met the Lee sisters?”

“Yes” she said as she tried to remember more accurately how the sisters had entered her life. “First, I met Seoyoung. We went to the same school and the same class, but we didn't share classes, so I didn't talk to her at that time. It wasn't until I met Bada in guitar lessons that my aunt thought of enrolling me. There weren't many of us; the teacher only accepted four students per class, so it was just Bada, two other girls, and me. We didn't become friends right away because she is older than me by three years, nor did we have anything in common except that we were both forced to be there.”

“Didn't you like the guitar?” asked the girl with a smile.

“It's not that I didn't like it” she replied, lifting her shoulders. “I just didn't like it; I preferred other kinds of sounds, and I loved the drums, but my aunt didn't like it very much, and she didn't really listen to my opinion. She also said that the guitar would look better than the drums in my student curriculum, so I didn't say anything back and just obeyed her; after all, I owed her my life.”

“How was your relationship with her? Did you get along with her?”

“Yes, she has been my mother figure since I was born” Jessica said sincerely as she felt a small pain settle in her chest at the memory of her. “I loved her too much, and I will never forget her.”

“My condolences Dal” there it was again—the damn name she hated so much. With a long sigh, Jessica gave a dull smile.

“Don't worry about that; that part of the story comes much later” she denied it in an attempt to erase the melancholic air that suddenly flooded the place. “Let's continue with Bada. As I said before, we didn't talk at first because we had nothing in common. However, she had an energy that captivated you; she made me laugh with her witticisms, so after the first guitar recital we had, I talked to her. I wasn't outgoing, but Bada Lee was outgoing for me, so we quickly became inseparable. And when I entered the same high school as her, then it really started.”

˗ ˏ ˋ ♡ ˎˊ ˗

“Bae Dal, Bae Dal!”

A thin voice that Jessica quickly recognized drilled her ears as she walked through the halls of Westcoast High School. She immediately turned around to find Bada Lee, her best friend and loyal confidant. The girl ran quickly with an excited expression on her face, and when she was closer to Bae Dal, she opened her arms to wrap them around her.

“You finally came, Bada Lee” Jessica told her as she rested her head on her hair. Bada was barely two inches taller than her, despite being older.

“What class are you in? Do you want a ride?” Bada asked with curiosity in her voice.

“No, don't worry" Jessica replied as she separated. “The principal has given a sophomore girl permission to show me around; she's in the cafeteria right now.”

“Okay, then come with me; I want you to officially meet Seoyoung.”

Without a squeak, Jessica nodded quite excitedly, and the two started walking with their arms intertwined to the cafeteria. Jessica knew Seoyoung only by sight; she was a year younger than Bada's younger sister, but they were still in the same grade because Jessica had entered high school a year earlier. They didn't share any classes or the same social circle, but people liked to associate them because they were both of Asian descent, and everyone thought they were family or friends just because of that.

“I've never talked to your sister” Jessica said to Bada when the two of them spotted Seoyoung in the dining room line.

“There's always a first time for everything, Dalbit” she replied, pulling her arm to her sister's side.

When Seoyoung noticed the girls, she looked at Bada with a smile and at Jessica with a surprised gesture. There, Bae Dal understood that she didn't know that Bada and she knew each other, nor that they were friends, but she didn't really care either.

“Lusher, this is Bae Dal” Bada pointed at her, and Seoyoung smiled friendly. "Remember I told you I had a best friend in guitar lessons? Well, it’s her.”

“I know who Bada clearly is” Seoyoung replied. “But I didn't know you were friends. Nice to finally meet you, Jessica.”

Jessica smiled and replied, "Nice to meet you." Bada didn't say anything else, and as soon as Seoyoung took her food, she led them to her group of friends to sit next to them. Jessica didn't have many friends in high school except for Valerie Monroe, a girl she had met in middle school, but at that moment she didn't know where she was, and she didn't feel like looking for her; she would see her in calculus class.

“Are you ready to tell dad today?” Seoyoung asked Bada while peeling a tangerine. "Taeyoung has been so excited that she won't put down the guitar for anything. ”

“Yes, I know. I didn't think Tata would be so serious when we told her we wanted to form a band” Bada laughed.

“What band are you talking about?” Jessica interrupted as she uncovered the small container where her aunt had put the lunch she had prepared for her.

“Lusher and I have been thinking too much about how we want the band to become something real” Bada said.

A long time ago, Bada and her sisters started playing songs from other bands in the basement of their house. The sisters' father had an old drum set inherited from one of his uncles and had taught Seoyoung how to play it; since then, she has insisted that her sisters play some songs together. All three were big fans of rock bands, and with the enthusiasm they had, it didn't take long for them to find themselves wrapped up in the desire to become one of them.

“I firmly believe that we would be one of the greatest rock bands of all time.”

Bada Lee blurted out the words so confidently that Jessica believed her without question. She knew how persevering her best friend was; she knew how hard she would work; and she knew she was capable of sacrificing anything, even what they were about to build.

Three weeks after that conversation, Jessica found herself sitting in the basement of the Lee sisters' house for the first time, listening to the compositions Bada had created.

“It sounds amazing, Bada!” she shouted with excitement as she clapped her hands. “I really think that you guys have something different and that if someone listens to you, then they would make you sign a contract immediately.”

“The problem is that no one listens to us” said Taeyoung, the youngest of the three sisters and the guitarist of the group. “We're too young to play anywhere, and dad still doesn't take us very seriously.”

Taeyoung was right; she was only ten; Seoyoung was twelve; and the only one who could be considered older was Bada, who had just turned fifteen. They had no chance; they couldn't play in local bars; they couldn't play in a high school because Taeyoung hadn't attended one yet; they had no way to make themselves heard in the crowd.

“How about inviting your friends to the Bada rehearsals?” Jessica said with a hesitant expression, receiving a confused look from the girls. “Your friends have more friends; you can invite them to the basement to listen to you, and they will spread the news. You can start creating a small group of listeners.”

The sisters weren't convinced at first, but they agreed anyway, convinced their parents to let them open the basement door, and six months later they had at least twenty-five teenagers sitting on the sidewalk in the garage having fun. At the end of the year, Westcoast High School invited them to play at the prom.

˗ ˏ ˋ ♡ ˎˊ ˗

“You'd never been to her house before then?

“Never” Jessica answered. “Bada and I saw each other only twice a month for guitar lessons, so my aunt didn't know her very well and wouldn't let me go to her house. It was finally in high school that she got to know Bada and her parents; they became close friends, and until then, I was finally able to visit her.”

“Understandable” the girl laughed and continued. “So thanks to you, The Rivers became known in the neighborhood?”

“No, of course not” she shrugged her shoulders and denied. "I only gave the idea; they, with their talent, made sure that Bada's friends brought more friends, and those friends brought more friends. If they weren't good enough, even if I paid all the kids in the neighborhood, they wouldn't see them again.

“What happened after that? Did you and Bada stay friends the whole time?”

“After you played at the prom, a lot more schools wanted them. They played at homecomings, proms, and even started playing at a sweet sixteen for a girl or two in the neighborhood. They were making a name for themselves through hard work.”

“What about you and Bada?” she insisted again with the question in a different way.

“We remained friends, although we spent less time together because she was always rehearsing or studying. We both quit guitar lessons, then Bada entered college, so Seoyoung and I were left alone in high school and stopped seeing each other even more, but we always tried to visit each other anyway. I don't think either of us wanted to leave the friendship, and we were constantly fighting with time to not get separated.” Jessica paused for a moment, frowning in an attempt to remember more accurately everything that had happened in her high school days, then continued. “But there was a moment when I turned seventeen that we parted ways for good. I moved away from Seoyoung in high school and started hanging out with other kinds of friends. I tried alcohol and cigarettes for the first time. And I also left Bada aside because I wanted to shut up the feelings that had suddenly invaded me.

“What kind of feelings Dal?” she was careful to ask, but still, the question took Jessica by surprise. She hadn't expected to get to that part of the story so soon. “If you want, we can stop for a moment.”

“No” Jessica said, looking at the girl straight in the eye as she searched for the right words. “The truth is that I realized that I liked Bada long before when we were still in high school; however, I understood the feelings until that moment, even though I denied it for many reasons, but the main ones were because she was older than me and because she was a woman. And I could not like a woman. I avoided her from that moment on; when she called me, I would tell her that I had somewhere to go, and when she came to visit me, I would tell my aunt to take care of her and tell her I was not there. I am aware of the damage I caused her, and I think that somehow everything that happened afterwards was my karma.”

“How much longer could you avoid her? I have known Bada for a long time and I know how persistent she can be.” At the girl's words, Jessica couldn't help but laugh. She was right; Bada was the most insistent person that could exist in her life.

“It lasted me a little more than a year” she answered with a smile. “And it would have lasted longer if it wasn't for how intense Bada is.”

˗ ˏ ˋ ♡ ˎˊ ˗

“How much longer do you plan to avoid me, Jessica?

As soon as she heard the voice, Bae Dal put down the cup of espresso she was preparing on the table and slowly turned around. Bada had a furious expression on her face that softened a bit when Jessica's round brown eyes looked up at her in surprise.

“When were you planning to tell me that you were working here? Why didn't you tell me that Aunt Lorena has a heart problem?”

Jessica didn't know what to say; she couldn't find the right words to answer Bada’s questions, and she didn't wanted to answer them either. She hadn't started working at Pope's cafeteria because she wanted to; she had done it because her aunt Lorena had been fired from her job and hadn't been able to get a new one because of her illness.

“Are you going to answer me, Jessica?” Bada raised an expectant eyebrow and leaned her arms on the counter. Jessica felt her stomach hurt because Bada never called her Jessica.

“As you can see, I am working, Bada, and if you will excuse me, I have tables to attend.”

She picked up her coffee cup again and walked out to the table area in the direction of an adult couple who had ordered an espresso. Bada, as insistent as she was, walked away from the counter and followed her around the restaurant with furrowed brows, annoyed at being ignored.

“Didn't you want to be like a preschool teacher or something?” Bada said behind Jessica, and Jessica ignored her as she put the coffee on the customers' table. “What are you doing working here? You should be in college; Seoyoung told me you got a scholarship at the University of California.”

Suddenly Jessica started to get exasperated with Bada's words, and without a second thought, she turned around and confronted her. “Enough Bada!”

Bada stopped and opened her mouth in astonishment. The people at the tables looked at them in silence, and then the kitchen door opened, revealing Pope with a spatula in his hand. The man in his late sixties stared at Jessica and then looked at Bada.

“Take a break Jess” he said, and then walked back into the kitchen.

In an attempt to fill herself with patience, Jessica took a long breath, then let the air out and carelessly grabbed Bada's arm to pull her to one of the tables, pulled out a chair, sat her down on it carelessly, and then sat herself in the chair in front of the older girl. Bada folded her arms and raised her eyebrows attentively at what Jessica was going to say to her; she didn't look at all guilty of the scolding they both knew Pope would give Jessica when she left for her interruption.

“Things got difficult, Bada” she finally found the courage to say. “Lorena has a heart condition that makes it impossible for her to continue working at the company, and it's been hard to keep the house. I had to drop out of college because the scholarship didn't pay for one hundred percent of the tuition, and what i earned here at Pope's barely covers the expenses of the house and my aunt's insurance.”

“So when things get tough, do you just disappear?” Bada frowned and leaned her arms on the table to get a little closer to her best friend. “You know my parents would be willing to help you if I asked them. I don't know. We could lend you a hand with buying food every month; you know, it's not something that's impossible for us.”

“You don't understand, Bada” Jessica muttered, taking a long breath. "I don't want people to look down on us; I don't want your parents to deal with this. I know I can do it myself.”

“No Dal the truth is that I don't understand. I know you can do it alone, but you don't have to.” Bada denied and took her hands on the table. Jessica immediately turned to look at the people in the restaurant, but no one was looking at them. “I don't understand why you can't accept our help, and I don't understand why all this has to be a reason for you to stay away from me.”

The older Lee was right; Lorena's illness and leaving college were not reasons for Jessica to stop talking to her. And in fact, they weren't; Dal hadn't distanced herself from Bada because of that. The real reason was that a year ago, in the middle of one of the band's rehearsals, she finally understood why her heart beat stronger every time Bada smiled at her in the middle of a song, and also that her skin prickled every time she took her hands in her to help her move her fingers over the strings of her bass when it occurred to her -out of nowhere- to give her lessons on how to play the bass. But clearly, that was not something she could tell her, so she decided it was best to cut the subject short.

“I'm sorry Bada I..." she stammered knowing that as soon as she apologized Bada would forget everything. “I'm really sorry, it's just that everything has been so overwhelming that I didn't know how to tell you, and I also didn't want you to stop paying attention to the band by listening to my problems. I didn't think about avoiding you my whole life, but then I got into college so I stopped having even more time. I couldn't find the time to talk to you again.”

Long ago Seoyoung had secretly told Jessica about how Bada could forgive her anything and move on. And at that moment she knew she wasn't wrong, because as soon as the apology left her mouth, Bada took a seat in the chair next to her and hugged her. She didn’t asked more questions, questioned her decisions no more and simply forgot that Jessica had avoided her for over a year.

“Just don't do it again Dalbit, please.”

Jessica didn't answer her because she didn't feel brave enough to promise she wouldn't do it again; she wasn't so sure she wouldn't do it again if she felt insecure about her feelings for Bada again. She just let the girl hug her; after all, she had missed her all that time they didn't talk.

˗ ˏ ˋ ♡ ˎˊ ˗

“So you used the "power" you had over her to get her to forgive you?” the interviewer asked, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion.

“It wasn't that I had power over Bada” she clarified. “Neither of us could really resist the other when it came to apologies. I would rather believe that we were each other's weak points.”

“I see, and what happened next? Did everything go back to the way it was before?”

“For the most part yes. I went back to attending her rehearsals whenever I could; her parents helped us with food expenses, and Lorena slowly started getting better every day until she managed to get a job again. Everything seemed to get better all of a sudden.”

“What about your feelings? How did you manage to hide them and go back to acting as her best friend for so long?”

“I guess I was a very good actress because nobody found out or suspected anything; everything went on as normal until Bada turned twenty and I was eighteen.”

The girl didn't say anything; she just looked at Jessica expectantly because she knew what was coming since she had heard that part of the story some time ago, but from another mouth and another perspective.

“Two days after her birthday, Bada wanted to teach me how to play the new song he had composed” Jessica explained slowly, almost not wanting to continue. “Things became more intimate that morning without us noticing, and then Bada kissed me. It wasn't the best kiss; she only pressed her lips against mine for less than five seconds and then broke away. But just those short seconds were enough to change our lives.”

˗ ˏ ˋ ♡ ˎˊ ˗

Even if it had already been two days since Bada Lee's birthday, the cake was not over. The girl's parents had made a big celebration with a huge vanilla cake that was Bada's favorite. And the truth was that Jessica wasn't complaining; she loved vanilla cake, so every time she went to the kitchen, she would take a small piece of cake after asking permission from Bada's mother.

“Jessica, I already told you, you don't have to ask for permission” Bada's mother said with a smile without taking her eyes off the TV, where a concert of a well-known alternative rock band was playing.

Without another word, Jessica went into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and took out a glass tray to cut a piece of cake. She put the tray away again and walked out of the kitchen towards the basement with a plastic plate in her hand. Bada's mom watched her with a smile on her lips until she saw her pass the basement door.

“You're going to make yourself sick to your stomach if you keep eating so much cake, Dal” Bada scolded her, sitting on the old leather couch, as she quietly and patiently tuned the strings of her bass guitar.

That morning, Bada had woken her up very early. After Pope had given her the morning off they had decided to have a sleepover since Bada was very nervous about the performance they were going to have that night. A well-known bar in Los Angeles area had contacted the sisters' father and had hired them for three hours to play at the owner's daughter's twenty-first birthday party. It was by far the biggest event the band had managed to get booked for, and after talking for hours, the girls convinced their parents to accept, although they too had to attend since Seoyoung and Taeyoung were still minors.

“I want to show you something; come here.” Bada took the plate from Jessica and put it on a small table next to the sofa, then took her by the hand and sat her on the sofa. “I've composed a new melody, and I want to show it to you.”

“You know that playing guitar and bass is different, right.” Jessica complained, but she still let Bada put her arm around her waist to place Jessica’s right hand on the strings and her left hand on the neck.

“I know” Bada whispered very close to Jessica's ear, causing a little shiver to run down her spine. “But somehow, you always manage to learn everything I teach you.”

Bada wasn't lying; Jessica had a rare facility for learning to play instruments and could even play some of the band's songs on the drums. Seoyoung always hinted to her that she could be the second guitarist, and even Taeyoung, on many occasions, gave her, her own guitar while she concentrated on the vocal part. However, being part of a band was not within Jessica's desires, nor did she want to be famous; her place was backstage, waiting excitedly for the hugs Bada gave her every time they finished a performance.

When Bada put her hand on Bae Dal's hand and began to move her fingers on the strings, Jessica held her breath. Jessica felt nervous even though the girl always taught her to play her songs in the same position, she still couldn't get used to feeling her breath so close and her arm around her waist. After a few minutes, she managed to feel the direction of the song through the sound caused by the bass strings. It was not a strong song like the ones Bada used to compose; this seemed to be a melancholic song more of the kind that Seoyoung composed.

“Is it a sad song?” Jessica asked with her eyes fixed on her own fingers as she played the bridge of the song without Bada's help. "It gives me a feeling of anguish.”

“I haven't written the lyrics yet; I only have the instrumental” Bada answered, sliding her arm out from Jessica's waist until she left her hand on her back. "But I don't want it to be a sad song” she then added in a whisper.

“And what do you want it to be?” Jessica stopped playing the bass and turned her gaze to Bada, who was already looking at her.

“I don't know yet, but I think it's going to be a stupid love song.” Jessica laughed, and Bada thought it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard, so she also smiled with her heart pounding hard against her chest.

A while back, Bada began to worry about the sudden path his thoughts began to take regarding Jessica. Bada had always been a physical person, with her family, especially her sisters, and when Jessica came into her life, she inevitably started to be physical with her too. The girl accepted any physical act she gave her and even sought out her touch as well. After all, they were best friends. That was the thought Bada had for a while. Until two weeks ago, when she found herself feeling little butterflies in her stomach every time Jessica gave her a kiss on the cheek or when she suddenly took her hand as they walked down the street. Bada tried to stop her thoughts and sort them out, to limit herself to hiding her reactions and try to see her coherent side, but simply nothing worked because she always found herself thinking about Jessica many times a day—about the tan color of her skin and the thick brown lips with a slight hint of pink.

“Five dollars for your thoughts.”

Suddenly Bada came out of her thoughts when Jessica's words reached her ears. She wanted to reply but didn't know how to explain to her best friend the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach nonstop, so she simply looked at Jessica straight in the eyes. The girl frowned as she noticed the sudden distressed look Bada was giving her.

“Are you okay, Bada?" She asked and directed her right hand to her best friend's cheek. “You can tell me anything you want; you know that.” She gave a soft smile to reassure Bada a little, but even then the girl didn't say anything.

Jessica stared at Bada still with a smile, waiting for her to say something, but instead she watched the girl slowly lean towards her hesitantly until their noses touched. They looked at each other for a moment until Jessica, by inertia, closed her eyes, and Bada took it as an affirmation to move closer, until their lips lightly brushed, staying like that for a few seconds. Then it was Jessica who cut the minimal distance, capturing Bada's lips shyly. Neither of them moved for long seconds; although it wasn't Bada's first kiss, it was Jessica's first, and they both knew it, so the older one didn't want to ruin Bae Dal's first experience. And Jessica didn't want to ruin things with her inexperience.

“Bada Lee you know, wher..." the door’s basement suddenly opened, causing the two girls to separate and turn around. "Sorry to interrupt” Taeyoung blurted out with wide eyes and an amused smile on her face. Seconds later, she turned to run out of Bada and Jessica's sight.

“Taeyoung come here!” Bada immediately got up and ran after her younger sister, leaving Jessica on the couch with a frantic heart.

Without a second thought, Jessica stood up, left the bass on the couch, grabbed her backpack, and then left the basement. She didn't bump into anyone on her walk through the house to the front door, and she was thankful to that; she didn't want anyone to see her flushed face or ask why she was leaving in such a hurry. She arrived at the bus station with bated breath, and it wasn't until she was on the seats with the air in her face that she was able to think things through clearly.

Bada Lee; her best friend, had kissed her. What was that supposed to mean? The question ran through her mind all day; even Pope had asked her if she was okay when he caught her staring at a point on the wall countless times. She didn't say anything though, preferring to keep the event to herself and Bada, as well as to Taeyoung, who had discovered them.

“Jessi” Pope called her with the phone in his hand. "Bada is on the line.”

A little hesitantly, she left the last chair on the table and walked to the man, wiped her hands with her apron, and then picked up the phone and placed it against her ear. At first, she said nothing, but after a few seconds, she took a long breath.

“Hey Bada.”

“Hey Dalbit” Bada called her in an excited voice. “We are about to leave the house, and my parents wanted to know if you need us to pick you up at the restaurant. The girls and I want you to be at sound check."

“Uhm” she thought about it for a few seconds thinking about denying it and making the excuse that she wasn't feeling very well. However, if Bada was acting so normal, why couldn't she do it? “Yeah sure my shift is over; I'll just change and wait for you.”

“Okay, I'll see you in a few minutes. I love you, Dal.”

The call ended after Bada's words, and with a sigh, Jessica took off her apron and then headed to the area where she kept her backpack. She walked to the bathroom to wash her face and change out of her waitress uniform into light baggy jeans and a white t-shirt. When she was ready, she slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked to the exit of the restaurant.

“See you tomorrow Pope” she said with a smile, that the man reciprocated without hesitation.

The cold air hit her body, so she immediately put on the black bomber jacket she had stolen from Bada's closet that morning. It was half past nine in the evening, and the first blizzards of winter were beginning to show. Lazily, she sat on the sidewalk, looking up at the full moon that night, as she thought about what face she would make when she saw Bada again. She didn't have much time to think, though, because thirty minutes later the Lee family car parked in front of her.

“Do you want a ride, pretty girl?” Seoyoung said to her in the back seats with her head out and an amused smile. Jessica suspected that Taeyoung had said something to her.

“Only if you're my guide” she replied with the same flirtatious tone as she sat next to Seoyoung, under Bada's teasing look at the fake flirting between her best friend and sister.

The ride to the bar was chaotic, the sisters' father had put on a tape of the girls' favorite band, and they had been singing the whole way. Bada acted as if nothing had happened that morning, and Jessica did the same. They talked as usual, sang together as they usually did; they treated each other like the best friends they were. Once they arrived at the bar, they carefully put down their instruments. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by the owner of the place, who greeted them with a huge smile and led them to the stage. Almost immediately, Seoyoung sat on the bench behind the drum set with an excited smile and bright eyes at the sight of the almost new instrument. Taeyoung sat on the stage, ready to take her time to tune her guitar. And Bada, along with Jessica, took care of connecting all the wires with the help of the sisters' parents.

“I brought my camera to take some pictures of you” Jessica murmured to Bada as she pulled out the little old camera her aunt had given her for her birthday. “I was thinking we could develop some pictures and send them to some music company, invite them to your events because I think after today a lot of people are going to start looking for you.”

Bada couldn't help but smile as she watched the excitement on Jessica's face. The girl had always been her biggest supporter and the one who supported them first and foremost, so it had been quite easy for her to see herself falling in love with her, had indeed been like a muscle memory.

“Look, Bads, a lot of people are starting to arrive!” Seoyoung reached the table where Jessica and Bada were sitting. “Tonight is going to be our night, I'm sure.”

And Seoyoung was right. The owner's daughter's birthday was attended by many, many people, and since the bar had not been closed for the event, regulars had also come. The sisters played five of their own songs that night, and when the audience asked for more, they couldn't refuse; then they also dropped a cover or two of some of the most famous bands of the moment.

Jessica had her arm linked with the girls' mother the whole night. She felt her heart beating stronger with every song Taeyoung sang, with every beat Seoyoung gave to the toms, and with every look Bada gave her while playing the bass.

And Bada on stage felt like rage ran through her body with every chord she played. She felt like the fear of the first time playing in front of so many people no longer existed, and now she could say that she was capable of anything. That's why once they got off the stage, after hugging her parents and sisters, she took Jessica's hand and slipped through the crowd that congratulated her, until she reached the bathroom of the bar.

“You were amazing Bada Lee” Jessica said, hugging her friend tightly. But Bada grabbed her arms and pulled her away from her body.

“Sorry for telling you this in a bar bathroom, but if I don't, then I'm never going to feel brave enough to say it again.” Jessica frowned in confusion. “I like you, Bae Dal, and this morning's kiss only make me realize that I love you more than just as a friend.”

Jessica smiled slightly, her eyes suddenly began to crystallize and without thinking she cupped Bada's cheeks and stood on her tiptoes to press their lips. A long time ago Bada had gotten taller but it wouldn't be an impediment to kissing her. A little surprised Bada frowned but immediately rested her hands on Jessica's neck and reciprocated the kiss. Jessica was a little clumsy but that was the least of it, Bada didn't mind any of that. After a few seconds they both needed to breathe so Jessica was the first to pull back.

“I like you too Bada Lee, I've liked you since high school.”

˗ ˏ ˋ ♡ ˎˊ ˗

Jessica closed her eyes as she remembered that special night and all the feelings that came over her with that first kiss. The fear of not being reciprocated, the excitement of Bada being the first person in her life, she had many different emotions that day, but they had all been worth it by the end of the night.

“That night was…” Jessica tried to talk, but she couldn’t find the right words.

“Jessica, are you still in love with Bada Lee?” the girl asked. Jessica looked at her with a soft smile.

“I've been in love with Bada Lee since I was fourteen, and i will love her my whole life.”

˗ ˏ ˋ ♡ ˎˊ ˗

Tag list: @jofiels-world @badasgirlfriend @zhivaxo

It’s been a long time coming for… jk.

#street woman fighter 2 #streetwomanfighter #swf2 #team bebe #bada lee #street woman fighter x reader #swf2 x reader #bada lee x oc #bada lee x reader #badaleerockbandau

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fcbfemeni-11 · 3 months

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What could’ve been (USWNT)

Jessica, caped as the next big thing, is in the form of her life going into her first ever world cup. The twenty-one year old is scoring every time she plays. However, during the USWNT send off game against Wales everything changes.

*This font is used to represent commentators speaking*

We’re playing Wales today, in our send off game before the world cup. I’m really excited because it’s my first major tournament and i feel so confident in my ability right now. I’m playing freely and with a smile on my face, that’s the reason i’m in good form. I don’t want this to end. I want to keep improving week after week, game after game.

Before the match, each of our names were called out individually and we walked to the pitch, i just gave the fans a small wave whereas Trinity danced and Sonnett done Sonnett things.

Me and Mal have such a good connection both on the pitch and off. Shes my big sister so when she got injured it hurt everyone. Shes here today watching, which is nice.

I started the game in a forward line of Sophia and Alex. I took up the spot on the left hand side. Usually i play as a number 9, but like both Soph and Trin I am able to play out wide too. I’m also wearing Mal’s number for the world cup, to have her with us despite her not physically being there.

The first half of the game absolutely flew by. There were no clear cut chances for either side. The game was pretty limited in chances as the middle of the field was packed with players, so the majority of the game was played there.

To start the second half Trinity came on for Alex. I let her go down the middle for a change as I was enjoying myself on the left.

We kept pushing for an opener and after many attempts we finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute. Trinity scored and Soph got the assist. As soon as the ball hit the back of the net Trinity peeled away towards the fans and I ran up behind her, jumping on her back as the rest of the girls came and hugged her.

“Sophia Smith, you are incredible.” I said as i walked back with the Portland Thorns forward.

“Stop hyping me up.” She said while chuckling. She then playfully pushed me away and then once we all returned to our half the game restarted.

At this point we were in total control of the game. Everything was going perfectly. Key word: WAS.

As the 80th minute hit, Lindsey played a ball over the top of the Wales defence, which i ran onto. I went to cut inside so i could shoot on my right foot, but just as i changed direction i felt excruciating pain in my right knee which caused me to fall to the ground in tears.

“This isn’t good for the US. After losing Mal they won’t want to lose Jessica, too.”

“This looks really bad, Alex. The youngster is clearly in a large amount of pain and her teammates look very worried. Lindsey immediately signed towards the trainers.”

I gripped my right knee with my hand as i sat, crying due to the pain. I wasn’t alone for long at all as Soph came and sat beside me, resting her hand on my arm, trying to comfort me even in the slightest. She didn’t speak to me, she knew i didn’t want to speak so she didn’t. I love that about her, she doesn’t push, she just knows what to do always. She is my best friend.

As i was laying in tears i heard Lindsey screaming for the trainers who were over in an instance. A few of my teammates came over, giving me their support but a few struggled to watch and turned away at the sight of me crying.

“I need you to sit up.” The first trainer said to me, but i didn’t move nor did i even look at her. Instead i lifted my shirt up over my face and lay there.

“Jess…” Soph whispered as she pulled my jersey from my face.

“I can’t.” I said weakly.

“You’ve done your ACL.” The other medic told me and my heart broke. My dream was crushed, right in front of my eyes.

“Jess..” Soph began to speak but i stopped her by giving her a small smile. One which she understood as she knew i didn’t want her sympathy, not on the pitch anyway.

“How do you know?” I heard Soph ask one of the trainers, trying to remain hopeful but there was no hope.

“I’ve seen this before, plenty of times. I saw the way she went down, it’s clear. Obviously a scan will reveal the extent of it, but it’s definitely an ACL.” The trainer told Soph who sighed.

I didn’t speak nor did i look at anyone. I stared into the sky, tears continuing to roll down my face as i was lifted onto a stretcher and taken off the field and into the locker room.

“Look, based on the reactions of her teammates, i’m going to assume Jessica’s injury is not a good one and she may very well miss the world cup.”

“It’s a real shame. The whole world was excited to see her shine on a world stage. Shes one for the future, that won’t change. She’s got so much talent which won’t just go away. She’ll come back stronger. She’s a phenomenal athlete. Her teammates will be devastated for her, they were all so happy for her.”

No one’s pov

Sophia informed all of her teammates and the coaching staff of Jessica’s ACL injury and in that moment everyone’s hearts broke. Mal, who was sitting with the team immediately got up and walked down the tunnel.

Straight after the restart Trinity pounced on a mistake from the opposition and what she done was so moving. She ran towards the camera and stood, making a J with her fingers and kissing it. She then held up nine fingers. Her celebration clearly dedicated towards Jessica.

End of pov

I was sitting in the locker room, well i was given a brace which dosent let me bend my knee as well as crutches, for now. I was sitting down, my back against the wall when the door opened. I expected to see a trainer come through but when i saw Mal i felt so relieved. She sat down beside me and placed an arm over my shoulder. She kissed the top of my head and then i rested my head on her shoulder.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it, so i won’t ask.” She said and i gave her a thankful smile.

“However i do have one question. We’re both out of the world cup. Do you want to travel with the team to watch? Vlatko asked me, before the game, if i wanted to. I wasn’t sure but i figured now we could both go.” She asked me and i smiled, for the first time since going down injured. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing people who just radiate nothing but happiness.

“Yeah. I would like that, a lot.” I said.

“I’ll let Vlatko know.” She said and i felt her move.

“No. Stay. Don’t go.” I begged.

“I’m not going anywhere.” She promised.

“What is the score?” I asked softly.

“Two - nil. Trin scored, dedicated her goal to you. She he,d up the number nine, for you and then made the letter J with her fingers.” I love my teammates so much.

“Nine isn’t my number. It’s your number. My number is nineteen.” I said, shrugging slightly.

“Not today it wasn’t.” Mal said back.

“Only because you weren’t playing.” I said and Mal chuckled knowing she wasn’t going to win this.

The game did eventually finish and as you would expect everyone gives me their sympathy in the locker room, as expected. I received strong support and encouragement from every single member of the team, from the players right to the staff. That is something i am very thankful for.

Thanks to them, i know that this setback will only make me stronger. I know i’ll come back better than ever before and more ready than ever, too.

I know both the national team and my club, in DC, will support me all the way. I know the fans will stick by me and i know my teammates will too. Luckily for me i have both Trinity and Sanchez to annoy in DC, which will help me a lot.

I guess now the world cup is a question of, what could’ve been…

#woso soccer #woso x reader #uswnt players #uswnt imagine #uswnt x reader #uswnt #uswnt woso #mal pugh #lindsey horan #ashley sanchez #alex morgan #sophia smith

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mattsobvimyfav · 1 month

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For Sport (Matthew Sturniolo & Chris Sturniolo)

Pt 5

A.n - hey yall so this is gonna be a very very very slow burn I already have some chapters written so I will probs rapid fire. It will be toxic, there will be angst , smut , everything you can possibly think of. It happens.

——————————————————————————

Its finally the end of the week and I’m packing my bag to leave early from school not wanting to finish the day. I spent the rest of the week hanging out with the triplets because Haylee has been giving me the silent treatment, which wont last longer seeing as she has nothing to do all weekend.

I sent a quick text to the group chat Nick created for us.

Pickle-

Hey babes, I'm leaving school. Not a single part of me wants to stay here so I will see you tonight.

I throw my phone into the waistband of my leggings grabbing my keys and heading out the side door. During my drive to my dads house I thought about the words Lindsey spewed at me the other morning. ‘Be a whore as much as you want. Matt will never forget me’ It wasnt that I even liked Matt, it was that 1. I was NOT a whore and 2. Why can't I just spend time with friends without it being labeled? The way she looked at me with disgust really irked me too. I literally didn't bother anyone. I kept to myself as much as possible.

Machue-

Okay us too, see you at our house.

Nicky-

10 mins out

I rolled my eyes, somehow in two days of coming over these boys have managed to woo my dad and basically raid my entire kitchen. I ran upstairs and decided I would use these ten minutes to actually relax. Before I knew it my door was being pounded on. I sent them a quick text that I was just in my room and to come up.

“I've decided to grace you guys with my presence at this football game” Nick said entering my room and laying next to me. “Grace is a STRONG word” Matt took the next spot next to me on my bed. “I personally love some Nicky time” I said sitting up looking at Matt with a dirty look. Chris laid at the end of my bed opening his phone. Matt started getting a call as he laid his head on my lap answering it, I looked at the contact name. It was Maddy with a purple heart, a pange of annoyance ran through my chest as he started speaking.

“Helloo” he answered dragging his voice out. “Hi Matty! Are you driving us to the game!” This girl's voice already annoyed me. “No sorry I'm going with Y/N, see ya there” he quickly hung up before the girl could reject and looked up at me smiling. I rolled my eyes at him, I shouldn't be jealous, I don't even like him.

“What time do we have to leave?” I asked looking up from my phone. “In like three hours” I laid down making Matt have to rest his head on the middle of my back “Wake me up in two please” Chris patted my leg getting up “I'm going to make food” Nick stood up following him leaving me and Matt alone. “C’mon move over a little” Matt said while I moved over a little laying on my side while he snuck his arm around my waist. I felt my cheeks heat up and I closed my eyes feeling his warm body behind me.

“Come on guys, we got an hour till we got to go” Chris said, shaking me. I got up finding something to wear. I decided on legging with a cropped hoodie and a larger flannel over it seeing as it would be a little colder. Mass weather at night was no joke. I go into the bathroom to change and brush my teeth quick. I walked out to all the boys sitting on my bed waiting for me.

“Lets go downstairs and get food before” I said, grabbing my phone and making my way down the stairs before the boys came booking it past me down the stairs. We all ate for a little before walking out of the kitchen towards my car. I quickly lock the doors, handing the keys to Matt.

I sat in the front, Matt driving with Chris and Nick in the back. I put on Ivy by frank ocean and Matt smiled at me putting a hand on my thigh. I felt my cheeks heat up as I looked down not wanting him to see. He left his hand there the rest of the ride. Once we get to the game we made our way into the bleachers. I took a seat next to Olivia for a minute to talk to her, the boys sat up top while some girls ran over. I finished my conversation with Olivia before walking up the bleachers to see some girl sitting in between Matt’s legs. I stop dead in my tracks, you have to be kidding me.

I rolled my eyes at Matt as I took a seat in between Chris’ legs. “Who the fuck is that.” I ask Chris angirly “Maddy, don't worry I got this.” He says before sitting up “Hey Maddy, ever think about NOT being a whore” I choked on my laugh, it was rude I didn't even know this girl.

“Chris chill” Matt said, pushing the girl out between his lap while I gave him a nasty look. “Chris can we go sit in the car” Half time had already hit, I hadn't realized how long I was with Olivia. “I'm coming” Matt said following a step behind us. I decided to just ignore his presence, he couldn't just act the way he had been and then flirt with other girls expecting me to be okay with it.

“Can we sleepover? We won't be back to your house till like ten and that's not including stopping to get food” Matt asked I shrugged agreeing still annoyed with him. We all sat in my warm car until half time was over. Chris and Nick walked together as Matt held me behind.

“Come on, what's up?” Matt asked “Oh nothing you just cuddle me to sleep, hold my leg in the car and once we are here you have some other bitch sit between your legs” I say finally taking a breath. “Are you jealous?” He steps closer looking down at me with a smirk, I shake my head going to walk away as he grabs my wrist pulling me back “If you want me for yourself just say that.” We were chest to chest and honestly he had me speechless. I sighed turning my back to him “Lets go Matthew” He ran up behind me as we walked back into the game together.

The Maddy girl would’nt leave Matt the fuck alone. I was getting pissed and it was obvious. I got up halfway through the last quarter. “Nick wanna go wait in the car?” He nodded, standing up “Lets just go” Matt said, grabbing my forearm leading me down the bleachers. Chris and Nick followed behind as Matt and I walked ahead. “Lets go out to eat and than back to yours” Nick offered and I nodded agreeing before leaning back in my seat thinking about this Maddy girl. I have never felt the weird feeling I have right now. Almost as soon as the thought was going through my head, Matt's phone lit up with a text from her. I scoffed, shaking my head and looking out the window. I had a horrible feeling about her.

Tag -

@worldlxvlys

#matt sturniolo x reader #matthew sturniolo #matt sturniolo #chris sturniolo x reader #chris sturniolo #christopher sturniolo #nick sturniolo #nicolas sturniolo

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perpetualexistence · 3 months

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Alley Cats AU: What Alejandro Did

Took a little while to get back to this AU because I got possessed by The Horrors, but now it's time to return to The Sillies!

Alejandro in this AU is still the son of a Spanish diplomat. He's been to five schools in as many countries. To him, Wawanawkwa High is nothing new. He has a set routine at this point.

First, figure out the social hierarchy. The first week or two he pretty much wanders around school eager and curious. He lays his Spanglish thick. Under normal circumstances he will throw in a Spanish word if he gets excited or frustrated. During this week though, he's constantly saying "¿Cómo se dice...?" and then the word he's looking for as if he doesn't speak fluent English. It sells the idea that he means no harm and is just innocently learning things. He observes people's reactions for that to find out who tries to help him or who scoffs at him. It helps him learn who he can ask for favors. It also helps him learn who can be flirted with as little effort as saying something in Spanish.

Second is to find and join the popular kids. The best way to do it is to do a favor for them. He just has to make sure it's a favor befitting of an equal, not of a lackey. He's not about to turn himself into Lindsey or Beth. Throwing a party when his parents aren't around is also an easy way to do it since his parents always buy a big house even when they know it's going to be temporary. It also involves tearing other students down. He looks for easy, unlikeable targets, aka those who scoffed at him or are otherwise easily manipulated. He'll create scenarios of them being the bad guy while he's the good guy knowing that no one will believe someone already unlikeable. He actually does this against a few of the Alley Cats, namely Noah, Eva, and Izzy.

Third is to rule the popular kids, and then the school. He has diplomatic immunity thanks to his father, and he will flaunt it and use it to do things others can't without punishment. He'll suggest ideas that he makes the other popular kids think are theirs. For good ones, he'll swoop in to take the credit afterwards. For bad ones, he scapegoats them to make himself look better. All the while with a dazzling smile of a perfect gentleman. He'll kick others on the totem pole to ensure he's not weak to the popular kids. It's nothing personal, just something he has to do to maintain his power.

And then, finally, the fourth step. It happens once his father inevitably declares that they'll be moving to a new country in a few weeks. It's his favorite game: Let's see how many lives he can ruin before he goes. After all, he doesn't truly care for any of these people. They're always temporary. No one will remember him when he's gone. So he'll give them something to remember, and leave them to pick up the pieces. No one will believe them because he'll already have moved on to the next country by the time they've fully realized what has happened.

Ezekiel is just a warm up. All he has to do is lay the groundwork for him to lean back on his old misogynistic views he'd been weaning off from and watch the sparks fly. He goes after Bridgette and Geoff because they're the most popular couple, and he thinks it's hilarious how Bridgette falls so easily and pokes at how their relationship truly is nothing but makeout session after makeout session. (Ignoring the fact that he'd been working for quite a while to manipulate her into second guessing things and Geoff into occasionally leaning into his more egotistical self in preparation for this). Leshawna is just child's play with how much of a mess her relationship is with Harold, and he has Harold humiliate himself just to kick him while he's down. Lindsey is just a whim of him pretending to be Tyler and it working because she's just that dumb (She's got undiagnosed face blindness and Alejandro downplays how much effort he put in to convincing her). And DJ? Nobody messes with DJ. He's the nicest guy anyone knows. And that's exactly why Alejandro wants to mess with him so bad. No one can have that much positive attention for that long without a challenge He has to do SOMETHING to him, so might as well leave him paranoid with an 'animal curse'.

People are pissed now and have caught on, but Alejandro's rather proud of the mess he's made. And then his father tells him that plans have changed. They're going to be staying in Canada for another year. There's no leaving this mess behind. Alejandro has to clean it up, or he has to stew in it. And he's never cleaned up a mess before.

DJ was the straw that broke the camel's back since everyone liked DJ so much. Alejandro tries to sit with Heather's group to wait for school to start in the morning and he just gets a glare that tells him to not even think about it. Everyone's clearly whispering about him and cursing him out if he tries to approach. He gets food thrown at him during lunch and isn't given a moment's peace. He gets pranked mercilessly by Duncan for screwing with DJ. This is something completely new and he hates it. This isn't how things are supposed to go. He can't even fake any apologies because nobody wants to listen to a word that comes out of his mouth. His words are his weapons. Without them, he's defenseless against the onslaught of hatred.

But this is fine. He's fine. He just needs to clear his head. Somewhere without all the stares and glares and people. He has to steer clear of all the hangout spots, which is difficult because they're so spread out around the school. His only option is somewhere nobody else would dare to follow. In the decrepit dumpster alley. He really has gone to the gutter hasn't he? ...Well. he still has some sense of pride. He wrinkles his nose at the stench (they're definitely not sniffles) as his eyes tear up a bit at the odor (that's the only reason they're tearing up, the only one. He is strong and he has pride and he can handle being hated because it's their fault for taking it so personally and no one else's.). He makes sure no one is watching before running into the alley to catch a breath. And finds he's not alone.

Part of him had always been a bit curious about where the outcasts were when they weren't in class or in the halls. He made a mental map of which group hung out where within his first few weeks. But he could never pin these five down. Yet here are Owen, Tyler, Izzy, Eva, and Noah now, all conversation halted at his arrival.

Noah and Eva look about ready to curse him out. Izzy just bursts out laughing seeing him. Tyler's just confused, and Owen just smiles and says welcome! It's been a while since they've had someone new, but he's welcome to join.

Noah and Eva immediately have protests about this, and Tyler to a smaller extent. Izzy's just cackling harder. Owen still insists that Al came in all on his own so alley rules still stand: Al's an Alley Cat now. It'd be against who they are if they pick and choose who the rule applies to. The two most hard headed ones complain but stop arguing, and Izzy's just popped a little confetti popper she got from somewhere and is welcoming him in. Tyler's still a bit reluctant considering the Lindsey kiss and wants an apology at the very least.

Now Alejandro's got a choice to make. He can turn himself around right now and find himself somewhere else to sulk be. Or, he can accept the offer of this butter donkey. He really doesn't want to. The few interactions he's had with him were incredibly unpleasant. It doesn't speak well for any of the others that Owen's the one they turn to for the final say in things. ...But he's also stupid. And easily manipulated. Usurping Owen is child's play. And afterwards he'll have a group to back him up vs dealing with his current onslaught alone. He can trick them into boosting him up to get back in everyone''s good graces, and abandon them once they're no longer useful. All he has to do is promise to bring them with him, because they've got to be just as desperate as he is to get out of this alley.

So he agrees to join, and apologizes for his previous behavior. He had just been so torn up about the thought of leaving behind the people he had grown to know over the year. He let his emotions get the better of him and lashed out when he truly should have known better and apologizes deeply. (There's a kernel of truth to this he's not going to be ready to admit for a while.). Owen, Tyler, and Izzy accept this apology without issue. Noah and Eva accept it under protest, but they're keeping an eye on him.

Thus, Alejandro's becomes an Alley Cat. And gets a whole lot more than he bargained for.

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saltygilmores · 2 months

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DANCE MARATHON EPISODE-PART 4

Before we begin, I have some fun news. today I learned that my Tumblr nonsense will be discussed on a podcast. My DALA (Dean and Lorelai Affair) theory will be discussed! How rad is that?! Please give my friends at Gilmored! a follow and tune in. It will air next Thursday, March 7th.

Speaking of DALA tomfoolery, of which there is thankfully not too much of in this episode...this is where we left off...

Hey! Why hasn't that T Rex devoured Dean and Lorelai in her mighty jaws yet?

Lorelai does not stop Puppy-Eye'ing him throughout this entire exchange. She breaks eye contact only for a moment to glance at Rory. In fact, I don't think she blinks.

Maybe we'll all get lucky and there will be a catastophic bleacher collapse. Look at the way this tiny boy in a thrift store castoff bin green coat parted that dance floor like Moses parting the red sea. He carved that crowd of people up like a Thanksgiving turkey, which he won't eat because he's a vegetarian or like he will soon be carving out Shane's internal organs. The dancers are trembling in awe and fear. Taylor Doose desperately calls for security, but no one arrives to save them.

Dean Forrester besat his own goofy very much non dancing keester upon the same bleachers above Jess, causing Lorelai to remark seconds earlier that "Spectator Ken" (Dean) was "sweet" for just showing his goofy face at the thing at all and paying them a mediocre compliment. This was also after she heard an explanation from Rory earlier in the week that he had no intentions of dancing, hence Rory and Lorelai becoming dance partners in the first place, and she reserved all judgement for Dean. Rory "Salty" Gilmore concurs that Jess' sitting abilities pale in comparison to Dean's to please her mommy. Also, I had to look up another stuffy old timey reference for "Martha Graham."

Poor Shane. So blissfully unaware.

You think Dean ever just confidently grabs Rory by the back of the neck and pulls her in for a kiss like that? Hell no. At least Shane will die happy with the taste of Jess in her mouth, maybe in more ways than one, the night is still young, hey hey.

Rory throwing J&S this look is the origin of the name SaltyGilmores (Back in my Twitter days).

Just noting the time for any true crime podcasters who might need that information to try and solve a Swan Murder.

The puke jacket has been shed. The night is fully underway. And Shane will be fully underwater. Since it was a one of a kind donation bin find, he wouldn't want to get any blood spatter on it. It would be hard to find a replacement. I understand. The black shirt will also be helpful in hiding the blood stains.

What are you looking at, number 34? You putz. I can't believe I may actually semi-defend you later, you goofy ass. Taylor announces a barbaric ritual in which the remaining dancers must run laps around the gymnasium and the 5 slowest couples will be eliminated, taken out behind the school, and processed into hamburger patties to be served at the diner. Although the Gilmores survive the Running of the Lamewads, Lorelai soon faces the wrath of Jackson for meddling in his and Sookie's marriage (which she didn't really do, for once).

Line up in an orderly fashion behind Shane at the back of the school and you can both be axed to death if that's what you really want. The size of the crowd on the bleachers appears to have ballooned in the last minute, and I was hoping to see Jess and Dean and Shane react to the Running of The Goof Troop, but I could not seem to find them. Well, I can only guess why Shane and Jess disappeared. Boooiiinggg. We'll catch up with them in just a moment.

Just a sea of dead bodies. Nothing to see here, True Crime Podcasters.

Has Luke been standing there for 14 hours?

#im gonna be so famous #gilmore girls #denise rewatches gilmore girls #dance marathon #tsgdt #they shoot gilmores dont they #gilmore girls season 3 #rory gilmore #lorelai gilmore #jess mariano #shane #shane campbell #dead shane #shane is swan food #murder on the dance floor #ha ha ha ha stayin alive not really

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afterthegreatunknown · 6 months

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a long, complicated denouement headcanon, featuring the sbg

Despite their ‘100%’ identical appearance in TPP/the ASOUE period, the Denouement triplets weren’t 100% identical. Dewey, Ernest, and Frank did not like being mistaken for one another when they were children, partly because the adults thought it ‘cute’ they dress identical. By their pre-teen years, they begun to differentiate from one another, and by the time they became young adults, were 100% no longer identical. Did that stop anyone from mistaking them for the wrong brother? Nope. But they (reluctantly) accepted it as it is.

(It’s ‘100%’ identical because there is one [1] thing that prevents them from truly being 100% identical.)

After an incident that had Dewey almost dying by a fire-starter, the Denouements realize that to keep their family and the newly built Hotel Denouement safe, they had to be identical once again. Fearing also for Dewey’s life, they hatched a plan that they didn’t want to do, but knew was necessary to allow them to be secretly neutral a la Olivia Caliban under the Madame Lulu persona at Caligari Carnival (the organization didn’t grant them permission to be neutral).

The Denouements ended up faking Dewey’s death in an unrelated VFD accident, and have Ernest and Frank fake their own family schism. Ernest ‘joins’ the fire-starters, while Frank remaining ‘loyal’ to the fire-fighters. With the two brothers now on opposite sides yet still running the Hotel Denouement together, both sides end up treading carefully with their actions. As such, the Denouement triplets achieve the goal of neutrality underneath almost everyone’s noses (some are in on the ruse).

So, by ASOUE, they’re ‘100%’ identical. But in the past, they weren’t, yet sometimes still got mistaken for one another despite making it easy. What were those attempts? Who are those that can 100% tell the brothers apart, mostly pre-canon? Who can’t 100% tell the brothers apart, pre-canon (and maybe during canon itself)?

100% can tell the Denouement triplets apart:

Raymond ‘Q’ Quagmire: As their [adopted] cousin, Raymond discovered a speaking quirk the Denouements triplets individually have. Dewey speaks in a steady pace that isn’t too polite or formal; it’s in between. Ernest speaks slightly faster on the casual/friendly side. Frank speaks slightly slower, more directly + formal, and is the sole Denouement to throw in a cuss word in conversation if given the chance/angry (sometimes minor, sometimes major).

(This speaking quirk is the one [1] thing that prevents them from being 100% identical by the ASOUE period.)

Joan Quagmire, nee Morstan, and her triplet sisters Alex and Lindsey: The sisters picked up the speaking quirk after their first meeting with the Denouements. The sisters also discovered how each Denouement triplet -at least Ernest and Frank- use a different dominate hand. Ernest is right-handed, while Frank is left-handed. Dewey while ambidextrous, is more likely to use his right hand than left. So if Joan, Alex, or Lindsey are interacting with either Dewey and/or Ernest but don’t know who it exactly and they’re using their right hand for something, the speaking quirk is their guide.

(By the ASOUE period, Ernest and Frank successfully taught themselves to use their other hand. Frank had the harder time though.)

The Snicket Siblings: The Snicket siblings, not long after picking up on the speaking quirk, discovered the Denouement style their three (3) hairstyles differently. Their first style -short hair with bangs- has Dewey leaving his bangs alone, Ernest sweeps his bangs more towards the right, and Frank sweeps his bangs more to the left. Their second style - hair down to their neck nickname ‘the Mane’- their ends are all different; one of Dewey’s ends goes down while the other ends flips upward, both of Ernest’s ends flip up, while both of Frank’s ends goes down. Their third style is the ‘growing out’ stage between hairstyle one and two; Dewey never tucks and runs a hand through his hair, Ernest tucks and runs a hand via his right hand, and Frank tucks and runs a hand via his left hand.

(By the ASOUE period, it was agreed via Dewey’s insistence that they rotate one another in a cycle, to keep it lively. During the period of TPP, all three brothers were in their ‘Mane’ phrase, copying Ernest’s style.)

Bertrand: After picking up on the speaking quirk, Bertrand discovered the Denouements react differently regarding hugs and handshakes. Dewey accepts and gives them out with glee. Ernest is always shock when receiving them and ends them quick; he also rarely initiates them but when he does, he does it in a friendly/casual matter. Frank reluctantly accepts and gives them out. Frank is also the sole Denouement willing to tackle/throw someone to the ground if they’re very suspicious, VFD member or not.

(By the ASOUE period, Ernest and Frank managed to act like Dewey regarding hugs and handshakes. Frank also managed to stop tackling/throwing people to the ground, making others do it in his place, like the waitress in TPP who threw that man on the floor after he asked for sugar.)

Beatrice: After picking up on the speaking quirk and hair quirk, Beatrice discovered the Denouements wear different colors socks, even if they’re all dress identically for reasons. Dewey wears blue socks, Ernest wears green socks, and Frank wears red socks. Beatrice also learned another 100% sure way to tell them apart if all three are in a matching suit and tie (they don’t wear bowties) with matching socks; Dewey always has his tie properly on, Ernest’s tie is slightly loosen, and Frank for whatever reason is missing a cuff link, or has one unbuttoned cuff.

(By the ASOUE period, the Denouements decided to wear white socks only. Ernest and Frank also decided to copy Dewey’s dressing habit. Ernest constantly fights the urge to loosen up his tie. Frank quickly adapted to wearing both cuff links/have buttoned cuffs.)

Can 100% tell apart the Denouement triplets. HOWEVER...

R: R learned the Denouement triplets dressing quirk of different color socks, taking weeks to figure out which color each triplet associated with. However, when it comes to a matching suit and tie with matching socks, R for some reason, thinks Dewey is missing the cuff link/has the one unbuttoned cuff, Ernest has the tie properly on, and Frank has the slightly loosen time. R discovers she got this particular quirk wrong post-canon, after an accidental meeting with the sole Denouement triplet survivor.

Monty: Monty learned of the Denouement triplets hair quirks for hairstyle one and two after several rapid conversations with each brother in under an hour. However, Monty never did figure out the quirk for their third hairstyle, and so he keeps quiet on who he thinks he’s talking too to avoid trouble. In Monty’s defense, he rarely interacts with the Denouements when they’re growing out their hair; Monty has the odd luck of interacting with them with either short hair with bangs or with ‘the Mane’.

Widdershins: Widdershins picked up on the Denouements’ speaking quirk after a few years of interactions. However, Widdershins can be trick into thinking he’s talking to the wrong brother. The only Denouements who does the tricking is Ernest, but that’s only in the month of April. Widdershins is mainly trick by his associates who also can 100% tell the brothers apart due to them wanting to prank the Denouements, or are angry at the Denouements and are using Widdershins as their stand-in.

Can 100% tell apart Ernest and Frank, but throw in Dewey...

Gregor and Hector + Josephine: The three discovered that Ernest is right-handed and Frank is left-handed. Because Dewey is ambidextrous with a leaning of using his right-handed, they will make the mistake of thinking Dewey is Ernest, and vice versa until correct, which in that case, they’ll apologize to both. At least Hector and Josephine. Gregor will apologize to Dewey, but not Ernest. Ernest has no idea why he never gets the apology.

Miranda and Olivia: The two Calibans discovered together that Ernest is a bit of a motor-mouth, and Frank is a bit of a slow talker. Dewey’s steady, polite pace has him getting mistaken as Frank by the two. In their defense, they don’t interact much with the Denouements, so they will apologize when corrected. Olivia does it more so, especially to Dewey.

Can 100% tell apart Dewey and Ernest, but throw in Frank...

N (Nestor) Caliban: Like his sisters, N. discovered that Ernest is a bit of a motor mouth. However, his discovery was made when Ernest was with Dewey. As such, Frank’s slightly slow speaking matter is mistaken at times by N. as Dewey trying to get his point across. N. usually realizes he’s wrong after thirty seconds, apologize, and continue on with the conservation.

Haruki: Haruki, because of all the coffee drinks Ernest partakes in with him and Larry, knows the man’s quirks. But Haruki doesn’t know the quirks of Dewey and Frank, for Haruki rarely visits the Hotel Denouement. As such, whenever Haruki runs into Dewey or Frank at a party or meeting, he avoids saying their name or says ‘Denouement’ when talking to one of them.

Can 100% tell apart Dewey and Frank, but throw in Ernest...

The Sebald Siblings: The reason why Sally and Gustav can’t tell Ernest apart from Dewey and Frank is because they interact with Ernest the least. Every quirk known for Dewey and Frank, the Sebalds know. It’s just Ernest’s quirks they lacking knowledge of. They’re as such, apologizing constantly.

Can 100% tell Ernest and Frank apart, but they don’t think Dewey exists (because they got the luck of never interacting with Dewey properly):

Ike: Ike discovered the sock quirk by accident, and the dominate hand quirk after observations. One of the two SBG fire-fighter members to think Dewey as non-existent, sort of. Ike thinks Dewey was a brother to Frank and Ernest (in that order because Ike assumes Frank is older due to his demeanor), but died after choking on an avocado pit. Attempts to tell Ike the truth about Dewey never happen due to Ernest finding it hilarious to stop anyone from telling Ike (this is why Gregor never apologizes to Ernest).

Larry: Larry is the other SBG fire-fighter members to think Dewey as non-existent, sort of. He too, thinks Dewey was a brother who died after choking on an avocado pit, and also not told the truth due to Ernest finding it hilarious to stop anyone from telling Larry. Larry learned on his own very quickly Ernest and Frank have different hairstyles after accidentally getting coffee with Frank once. Larry does learn Dewey is, or was, real, post-canon, and promptly punches the sole surviving Denouement triplet in the stomach for making him [Larry] thinking Dewey died by other means.

Olaf: After interacting with Ernest and Frank after so many years, especially Ernest, Olaf picked up on their hair quirk. Regarding Dewey, Olaf thinks of him as their dead brother who didn’t survive childbirth that comes to ‘life’ every April Fool’s Day. Attempts to tell Olaf the truth are always interrupted by outsiders, before attempts just stop happening.

Esme: Esme picked up on their hair quirk after an accidental night out with Frank (best night Esme ever had). Regarding Dewey, Esme thinks that Dewey was their brother who died as a child in the same fire that also killed their parents, and goes with the ‘joke’ every April Fool’s Day that brings Dewey back to ‘life’. Attempts to tell Esme the truth never happened.

[Regarding the matter of Dewey faking their death and his funeral, which would reveal to the four that Dewey is a real person, they were all conveniently out of the City and Land of Districts at the time of it happening. On the matter of Ernest ‘joining’ the fire-starters while Frank ‘stays’ loyal to the fire-fighters, their return had them learning of a family schism that drove the brothers apart, and weren’t given more information about it.]

100% can’t tell Ernest and Frank apart, and has no idea Dewey exists.

Jerome: Not part of the SBG or VFD, but his association with Beatrice and the Snickets (mainly Jacques) puts him on the list. Jerome, try as he might with Beatrice’s help, he just can’t tell Ernest and Frank apart. Jerome managed it twice, but they were lucky guesses due to Frank swearing. Jerome didn’t get better even after learning of VFD during the ASOUE period.

Charles: Not officially part of VFD, but because he offer his services and has knowledge of VFD and its working, he gets put on the list. Charles, to avoid embarrassment on being wrong, refers to Ernest and Frank as ‘Denouement’, even in less formal settings. This actually works to Charles’ favor, for either one will always say, “Please, call me [X].”

Fernald: Not part of the SBG, but he is a lump member. Fernald legit can’t tell Ernest and Frank apart, even with help from his stepfather (before he became a stepfather). And Fernald didn’t get better after joining the fire-starters. Fernald as such, keeps quiet and hopes others like Olaf or Esme, will recognize they’re talking to Ernest, before jumping into the conversation himself.

100% can’t tell the Denouement triplets apart and doesn’t bother to make the attempt to learn their quirks:

Georgina Orwell: Because Georgina doesn’t see herself as part of the SBG and never makes the attempt to associate/interact with them as if she is, this is chalked up to rare interactions between them. The Denouements rarely are in need her services, and Georgina rarely goes to their hotel (she prefers the Preludio). When they do interact (usually in a meeting or party), Georgina takes the polite route and calls them ‘Denouement’.

Bonus: A lump OSG member who 100% can tell the Denouement triplets apart, but pretends otherwise:

Adeline Montgomery, Monty’s older sister: Adeline is four years older than Monty. When the schism broke out, Adeline being ten and Monty being six pushed her into being lump with the OSG. Adeline can tell the Denouement triplets apart by their hair quirk. The reason she pretends not to is because she feels bad that Monty, who also uses the hair quirk, still makes mistakes, so she makes herself worse in comparison.

#asoue #a series of unfortunate events #denouement triplets #dewey denouement #ernest denouement #frank denouement #book verse #headcanons #sugar bowl gen #sugar bowl generation #being mainly focus on the denouements #not going to make the attempt to tag everyone

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rollercoasterwords · 1 year

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10 books!! :•)

ty 4 the tag @otrtbs (+ @serethereal i'm just doing it on this blog) <3 here r 10 books 2 get 2 know me

1. a history of glitter and blood, by hannah moskowitz

favorite book of. all time probably. first read this when i was like 16 i think and since then i've reread it about once a year. keep waiting for it to like...hit me less hard but every time i read it i am still v much moved in the same sort of way that i was the first time!!

2. the last unicorn, by peter s. beagle

feel like this story is like. integral 2 me as a person. first encountered it in the form of the 1982 movie as a child + then discovered it was a book in high school. there are differences between the two of course but the central themes are the same + i do think the ending like. permanently altered my brain as a child such that it has shaped my worldview ever since

3. the archive of alternate endings, by lindsey drager

newest addition 2 the list!! just read this book like a month ago and it was so good that it now has a place of honor on my favorites list <3 made me full-body sob but is like. so exactly perfect for me as a book that it felt like it was written 4 me

4. animorphs, by k.a. applegate

surprisingly not a childhood series 4 me bc i watched one episode of the tv show they made in the 90s + it scared me so much that i never touched the books. however i read the entire series in college and. it is now one of my favorite works of literature ever.

5. gormenghast, by mervyn peake

this book means a lot 2 me personally bc it's like. tied 2 my dad 4 me <3 he's a big reader but our tastes only have a small overlap, so it's not super often that we'll both love the same book. but when i was in high school i was looking for something 2 read + he pulled gormenghast off his bookshelf + was like try this nobody's ever heard of it bc peake is not well-known but it's like. sprawling dark fantasy. + it ended up being one of the most beautiful + unique stories i have ever read <3

6. you too can have a body like mine, by alexandra kleeman

a favorite satire <3 love kleeman's writing style + the sort of weird suburbia-horror of this story

7. the man who laughs, by victor hugo

generally speaking i am not a big ~classics~ person however. my final year of hs this was the book i chose for my like big final english paper + it's like. the first book i really had 2 study on a deeper level + i loved all the twisting symbolism + the tragedy of it all

8. six of crows, by leigh bardugo

technically this is 2 books bc i'm thinking of the entire duology but. yeah <3 fave like. fun fantasy story 2 reread when i want a book that makes me feel like i'm watching a movie while i read it. also love love love all the characters <3

9. this is how you lose the time war, by max gladstone and amal el-mohtar

first time i read this book i felt like my brain was melting!!! so short but the exact kind of story that i love; sort of scrambled poetic writing style + weird dark fantasy + sci-fi elements

10. no future: queer theory and the death drive, by lee edelman

i actually. do not recommend this book as it is so dry + dense and an absolute slog 2 read. however it makes the list bc encountering lee edelman's writing abt reproductive futurity + the death drive was like. top 10 life-altering moments that fundamentally changed the way i think in college. so!!!

no-pressure tags: @steelycunt @dykefever @pomegranate-pill @suspendedinbush @mayescapade :•)

#book recs #tag game <3 #obviously i am a. big fantasy person as is evident from this list lol #i think it will simply always be my favorite genre !! apologies 4 the lack of genre diversity on this list tho lol #also mutuals. if anyone wants 2 exchange storygraphs <3 #currently i am only following my beloved ridi aka tumblr user steelycunt + i think it would be fun 2 see what ur all reading!!

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tylers-toffoli · 1 year

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i regret to inform everyone that i can sense another sports hyperfixation brewing

#i made the tumblr search for content this is the beginning of the end of my remaining sanity #lindsey speaks for once

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brunchable · 2 years

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2319: Chapter I — The Day We Met || Stephen Strange × F!Reader

Word count: 4.9K Genre: Innocent Love, Diary Entries, Fluff. Special mentions: Donna Strange, Victor Strange, Beverly Strange A/N: This story is inspired by the Korean Drama called "2521" Storyline is different but the concept is the same. This will be Stephen's past and Reader's past. ***Strictly to not post, translate or copy my works to other websites!!*** Master List || Next Chapter

You and your daughter Sasha, who is now 13 years old, sat in the car together without speaking. Soon after Sasha left her audition for a musical, you were already on your way to the place where you spent your childhood. You cast a few fleeting looks in her direction and saw that she was facing away from you, with her arms crossed and a gloomy expression on her otherwise lovely face.

“What’s wrong Ladybug?” You broke the silence between you but your daughter only sighed, “You know I’m not mad at you for walking out on your audition right? Stage fright is normal—”

“It’s not stage fright!” she lost her cool, and in response to your raised eyebrows, she regained control of her emotions and apologised, saying, “Sorry. . .I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

“Then if it’s not stage fright, what is it?”

“I just don’t think I like acting anymore. . . I want to do something else.”

“Oh I see, then what do you want to do, if not acting?”

“Ugh. I don’t know. Can you stop asking so many questions?” She heaved a sigh and then turned her back on you once again. You pucker your lips since you have no idea what has gotten into her, but her new attitude was beginning to mildly wear on your nerves.

“I’m just trying to help you with whatever new interest you have.” You responded in a composed and level-headed fashion. You didn't want to get into an argument with her when you’re about to go away at your art exhibition in another country.

“I know. . .” She mumbled.

While you were making your way back to your old neighbourhood, you cast a sidelong look her way, “You know me and your Dad loves you, right?”

“If you guys do then maybe try working it out for my sake instead of getting a divorce?” Immediately as you drove into the driveway, Sasha sprang out of the vehicle, slamming the door and ran to sit on the porch of your childhood home.

There it was—the primary drivers of Sasha's emotional turmoil. You were aware that telling her the news the morning of her audition was probably going to be a mistake, but your husband is of the opinion that telling her as soon as possible is in her best interest. While your stepfather, Lindsey, approached your vehicle to get Sasha's possessions, Sasha sat on the porch, put her earbuds in, and listened to music on her phone.

You unlocked the car and rolled down the window, “Good Afternoon, Lindsey.”

“Good to see you, love. You’re quite early, I didn’t expect you to arrive before dinner.” He greeted you back, “Aren’t you going to come in and say hello to your mother?”

You looked at your watch and shook your head, “I can’t— I have a flight to catch. Tell her I said hi?”

“Sure thing,” He flashed a smile, then turned towards Sasha, “Come here kiddo, help me take your bags inside.” Lindsey waved her over and she lazily made her way towards the man who passed her, her backpack. You let out a sigh as Sasha walked away from you and inside their home without so much as a word or a glance in your direction.

Lindsey, who had Sasha’s suitcase stopped by the side of your car, “Are you okay?”

You pressed your lips together and nodded, “To be honest, Lindsey, yes. It’s just her I’m worried about. Please don’t spoil her too much while she’s here, don’t allow her to stay in her room all day.”

“Don’t worry, she just needs time. You only broke the news today anyway. You stay safe on your flight.”

“Thanks Lindsey—Alright I better get going. Tell mom I’ll stay longer when I come back!” You started your ignitions before setting your navigation towards the airport.

“Alright love. Stay safe and have fun at your exhibition.”

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

During the time that you were pulling out of the driveway, Sasha peered through the gap in the living room's drapes. She was feeling guilty about how she talked to you, but her pride got in the way — or her equal anger between you and your husband.

"There she is,” Your mother, Vanessa, approached Sasha who smiled back at her coming in for a hug, “Look at you all grown up. It's so lovely to have you here darling. How's your mother?"

The 13-year-old girl shrugged, her cheeks cupped in between her grandmother's palms, "Annoying but she seems to be doing well."

“Annoying? Well aren’t you lucky she’s off your tail for a few days?” Her grandmother smiled as she admired the carbon copy of her daughter when she was a child, "The similarity between you is so uncanny."

The young girl scowled at the older woman's comment, making her grandma laugh, "So where will I be sleeping?"

"Your Mother's old room. I've cleaned it but I left everything back to where it is—she doesn't like it when people touch her things."

"Huh." Sasha chuckled. How ironic. She thought.

“Goodness me, kiddo! What do you have in your bag?” Lindsey groaned as he pulled the bag inside the house.

“Er Nothing much, just a dead body.” Sasha nonchalantly shrugs and walks past Lindsey to go upstairs, “Thanks for helping out Lindsey! Grandma said I'll be sleeping in Mom’s room.”

Lindsey chuckles at the child’s dark humour and looks at Vanessa, “Don’t look at me, she probably got that from her father.”

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

This is the first time Sasha will be ever sleeping in your old room—it felt cosy and she could see all your memories stuck on its walls. She steps closer to see the lightly faded photographs of you and people she has never seen in her life. In the photographs, you can be seen smiling and possessing a sunny disposition, and you are dressed in vibrant colours, which makes you seem more feminine than you do today when you always wear dark colours for formal apparel.

"I see you’ve found your Mom’s most treasured memories?” Vanessa spoke behind her by the door with Lindey following just behind her.

Sasha turns around and points at one photo, “Who were these people Grandma?”

“Check the back of the photos and find out, but make sure to put them back.” Vanessa winked and steps aside to let Lindsey drag Sasha’s suitcase in.

“Whew! That’s my exercise for the day! Just call me and your grandma if you need equipment to bury the body.” Lindsey winked at the kid who chuckled at the older man’s lame attempt to get along with her.

“Make yourself feel at home, darling. I'll call you down when dinner’s ready." Her grandmother smiled and shut the door. Sasha plops her backpacks on the floor and allows herself to fall backwards on her mother's old bed.

This is going to be one boring summer. She sighed and rolled to her side, now facing a white wooden study desk with books neatly stacked on the side. Her eyes pan towards the shelving above, the stem of the A5 books had 365 written on it—all pastel colored. Journals.

She got up abruptly and swiped what she assumed was the first volume of her mother's diaries. The front had a warning—which was written in her mother's handwriting—it said: Private! DO NOT READ!

"Pft. What are you going to do Mom? Ground me?" She chuckled and proceeded to open the journal.

June 13 1999

I finally persuaded Mom and Dad that I will be studying art in college, however, they won't be paying for it since they don't consider it as a real career—It’s ironic since they love going to art museums? It just doesn't make sense! But whatever, I got a job at the local florist anyway. Either I'll save money or I would have to work hard on creating art and get a scholarship.

It's also been a week since the new neighbours moved in, a family of five, they call themselves Strange—no literally, that's their name. Eugene and Beverly, the parents and then there's Stephen, Donna and Victor. Donna's very lovely and the same age as me. We instantly clicked when we met, we shared the same interest and aspirations—maybe we could even go to college together.

Her older brother Stephen though, he's kind of intimidating, the third time Donna invited me for dinner. . . he kept staring at me—or maybe I'm just imagining it. According to Dad, he looks like trouble and though Dad thinks his parents are nice people, he's already given me a warning to steer clear from him. . . but we don't even talk. . .so. . . Yeah. . . But I won't judge a book by its cover. . . Okay, maybe I think he's a little, very attractive—but there's nothing wrong with admiring right?

Actually. . . I first met Stephen . . .

June 6, 1999

You were on your way back to town from a little camp getaway with your highschool friends—a getaway where your father wasn’t too keen on letting you join but thanks to your mother, you were able to—you were driving the Mercedes Benz your father gifted you on your nineteenth birthday and Fantasy by Mariah Carey was playing on the radio.

“Oh, when you walk by every night, talkin' sweet and lookin' fine I get kinda hectic inside~” You belted while being in the car by yourself, “Baby, I’m so into you—”

Your singing was quickly cut off by the unexpected jolting of the car, which was followed by the loud beeping that indicated you were out of petrol, “No, no, no! But I just filled the gas, what?” You panicked but was lucky enough to pull over to the side of the road before the car came to a full stop.

You pulled the handbrake to its highest position before getting out; warily looking around a desolate road that was bordered by pine trees as you stepped out of your vehicle. You quickly grabbed your knitted cardigan with the colour blocked pattern of pastel green and pink and put it over your sundress before going around to see what the problem was.

You could hear the revving of a motorbike from a distance, so you attempted to seem casual as you went around and around the Benz.

Stephen, who was recklessly riding his motorbike without a helmet on while listening to Green Day's "American Idiot" on his cassette tape using his headphones, discovered you looking troubled as you were circling your vehicle. It was quite evident to him that you had no idea what it was that you were even searching for. When he rode by you, he didn't originally have any intention of assisting you. However, when he glanced at you through the side mirror of his motorcycle, a voice within his brain urged him to turn around, and so he did.

You let out a sigh of exasperation while paying little attention to the motorbike that finally passed you by. You were trying to decide whether to contact your father for assistance or just trek your way back to your home. You’re aware that your father is going to be upset when he finds out what had happened to your car.

"I'm so dead. . ." You muttered something under your breath as you twisted around and looked in the passenger seat for your phone. When you realised no one was going to assist you, you stooped forwards, the length of your dress shortening at the back to display your thighs.

Stephen cleared his throat, “Do you need help, Miss?”

You were so startled that you leapt and struck the top of your head on the roof of your car. "Ow!" You rubbed the back of your head, eyes widening and immediately covered your backside.

Stephen smiled but tried to hide it by covering his lips with the back of his palm and looking away briefly before turning his attention back to you and asking, "Are you okay?"

“I’m fine, thank you!” You pulled down on the hem of your dress, your back bumping the side of the vehicle, and you felt the heat crawl up from the base of your neck as you realised that this attractive stranger may have seen your undergarments. How humiliating, you thought to yourself. "U-um, how can I help you?"

“I asked you first.”

“Me? Oh no, I don’t need help—I’m just uh. . . taking a break from driving—You can just move along.” You reasoned with a lie while waving him off, causing Stephen to cast a sceptical eye before his nostrils caught a whiff of petrol, “What are you doing?!”

You asked the handsome stranger and followed him to the back of your car where he got low on the ground to check under the vehicle, “Sorry to break it to you but you won’t be getting home with an empty tank and a dislodged fuel line—unless you’ve premeditated to burn down the forest?” He stood back up and clapped his hands together to shake off the dirt before wiping it off on the back of his black Wrangler pants.

You took a few steps back, completely forgetting how much taller he was than you; the top of your head didn't even come close to reaching his shoulders as you asked, “Do I look like someone who would commit arson?”

Before he let out a little chuckle and said, "It was only a joke," Stephen's blue eyes swept down from your head to your toes and then back up to your face, "Relax.”

You tried to pull your dress lower while his eyes attentively scrutinised you, giving the impression that he was evaluating you, all the while saying, “Jokes are meant to be funny.”

“Yeah—that also depends on your humour.” Stephen shrugged, “Anyway where are you headed? Do you need a ride?”

You cross your arms and you eyed him suspiciously, “How do I know you’re not some serial killer that targets vulnerable, alone women?”

While continuing to laugh, Stephen repeated the gesture of placing the back of his hand over his mouth. He is aware that you have every reason to be wary, particularly in light of the many reports of hitchhikers going missing in other states, and he respects your right to do so.

“If my intention was just that, then you wouldn’t be standing there talking to me right now—I mean this area is already deserted? Surrounded by woods—Heck, no car has even passed by for the last five minutes we’ve been talking—If I wanted to unalive you, I would’ve done it already.”

Your face hardens, “That doesn’t exactly make me feel better—and for your information, unalive is not a word.”

“It is now,” Stephen shrugs, “The sun will be setting before you know it, do you need a ride back to town or not?”

“No. I have a phone. I’m going to call my Dad to pick me up.”

“Alright, suit yourself,” Stephen turned around and you got back inside your car to grab your mobile phone. Stephen also checked his phone and exhaled through his nostrils when he saw that there was no signal; this was the reason why he was making his approach towards his motorbike extremely slowly, counting "5... 4...3...2...1..."

“Wait!” You made your way over to him and yelled out. Stephen pretended to be stunned that you had called him to wait for you and executed a 180-degree spin while using his heels. You then asked, "I need to go to Devonport—but how do I know I can trust you?"

As Stephen made his way back to you, he reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out both his wallet and an item that was undoubtedly his driver's licence. He then brought the card in close enough for you to see the information on it, at which point you wrinkled your brows in confusion.

“How is that supposed to make me trust you?”

“I’ll leave my car license in your car, so if I suddenly have the urge to murder you, they’ll be able to solve the case,”—he snapped his fingers— “just like that. Happy?” He asked and placed his licence carefully on the sunshade.

“I-I guess. . .”

“Grab all the things you need, you can put it under my seat—You’re in luck because I’m headed for Devonport as well.”

“Oh. . .okay.”

"Wow Mom, so much for teaching me not to trust strangers no matter what they say." Sasha flips the next page and continues on reading the entry.

"You're going to have to sit facing one side since you're wearing a dress." Stephen said as he mounted his motorcycle and kickstarted it's engines once again. Since you are merely standing there, he gives you a look that conveys his impatience, "What are you waiting for? You waiting for pigs to fly?"

You glared at him, "No! I'm just wondering where your helmet is."

"Oh. . .I left it at home,” Stephen shrugs.

“Great, if not murdered, I’ll probably die from a crash.” You then hopped up behind him while mumbling something to yourself. Because you had never truly ridden a motorbike before, attempting to position yourself was quite awkward for you.

“Y’know for a nice looking girl, you’re rather pessimistic—”

“Y’know for a handsome guy, you look like a hazard to society.” you retorted back.

Stephen burst out laughing while simultaneously shaking his head in response to your comeback.

"Oh you find that one funny huh?"

"If you aren't so on edge, I'd probably think you're flirting with me right now." Stephen poked fun at you, forcing you to make an even more grumpy face. You are relieved to see that he is facing front since you were certain that blood was rushing to your cheeks.

"Is there anywhere I could hold onto?" You changed the subject.

"Me."

"Really?"

"Yeah—but if you want to go handsfree I'm cool with that.”

"You can’t be serious—AH!”

You were forced to grip onto Stephen's hips when he cranked the throttle, which caused the motorcycle to lurch forwards and cause you to lose your composure, “Wow, going straight for my hips? Aren’t you going to take me out on a date first?” He continued to tease and you just knew there was a massive mischievous smirk on his lips based on the sound of his voice.

“You did that on purpose—and in your dreams!”

Sasha snorted at the action Stephen took to get you to hold on, “What a sly dog—it’s so obvious that you're into him and he knows it.” Legs swinging back and forth into the air, she laid on her stomach—clearly she found your entries entertaining since you barely talked about this area of your life with her. You always found your way to sway the conversation out of it.

The journey to Devonport was fairly dull, and neither of you spoke a word to due to the fact that Stephen was listening to music on his tape player the whole time. However, it was beneficial for you since you dislike making idle chatter, particularly with unfamiliar people. You clung to his broad shoulfers because you didn't want to give him a reason to believe that you were taking chances due to the fact that you thought he was appealing.

You told him your address, assuming your father isn’t home from work yet—he usually comes home late in the night—but not today. As soon as you pulled up on Stephen's motorcycle in your front yard,Your father ran out of the house as quickly as he could, like he was out to kill. You muttered a profanity to yourself.

“(Y/N)?!”

“Dad? What are you doing home so early?”

“(Y/N), you better have a good explanation why you’ve come home with a boy and on a motorcycle.” Arthur chided you sternly as he moved closer to you and attempted to remove you off the motorcycle so that you could get away from Stephen.

“Dad, it's a long story, please let me explain when we go inside.” You urged him to go back inside with you but he and Stephen have already made eye-contact with each other.

“Who’s he?” He pointed at Stephen, “Is he the reason why you wanted to go on that camp trip so badly?”

Stephen chose to keep his lips shut for the time being since he was quite uneasy with the way in which your father could be so confrontational.

“What? No! It’s just us girls!” You replied the truth in your defence, “Can you please just let me explain?”

“I didn’t raise you to get yourself mixed up with the wrong people, (Y/N).”

“Woah, what’s that supposed to mean?” Stephen slipped up after feeling offended at your father’s remarks, “I think, I deserve a thank you for getting your daughter home safely, Sir.”

“A ticket is what you deserve for riding a motorcycle without protective gear on.” Arthur replies to Stephen who just scoffs and shakes his head.

“Dad! Please! Can we just go inside and let me explain?!” You snapped and your father glared at Stephen before turning back towards the house.

“I’m sorry—this is so embarrassing. . .I—Thank you for bringing me home.” You thanked Stephen, feeling flustered, “Your licence is still in my car, how do I give it back to you?”

“You don’t need to give it back—that’s an old expired licence,” Stephen chuckled your stunned facial expression, “But if you insist on giving it back, anytime is fine, neighbour.” Stephen’s smile broadens, not giving you a chance to speak, he rides towards his house where his family has already started moving things from the truck.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

You were surprised that your father took the whole car situation better than you expected; what he was more peeved about is the fact that you rode a stranger’s motorcycle without a helmet on—but you really had no choice—what if the next person to offer help was shady?

“Dad, will you stop spying on the new neighbours?” You demanded, pausing the movie playing on the VHS.

“Please, Darla at the front isn’t even discreet about it. She’s literally pretending to tend her garden,” Arthur stifled a chuckle as he thought of the lonely middle-aged woman whose favourite hobby was prying into other people's affairs. You and your dad refer to her as the neighbourhood's surveillance camera: Someone had a lover's quarrel? Simply ask her what took place, and she will be able to explain everything in great detail. Lost a cat? She will remember the location of the last time she saw it.

“Really?” You rose up and peeked under your father's elbow to inspect, and you burst out laughing when you saw the woman pretending to tend to her already well-shaped hedges.

“What are you two laughing at?” Vanessa, who came from the kitchen, holding a container of freshly baked cookies asked.

“Just Darla,” You answered and turned to face your mother, “Oooh cookies.”

You jogged towards your mother who slapped your hand to prevent you from taking one, “This isn’t for you, ladybug, this is for our new neighbours.”

“Oh, okay. Are you going over there?”

“No, you are. I already introduced myself earlier. They have a daughter called Donna, she’s the same age as you—go introduce yourself, maybe give her a tour around the neighbourhood.” Vanessa placed the container on your hand and ushered you out the front door, not giving you a chance to complain.

You puffed your cheeks and obediently made your way to your new neighbour’s house. You approached a woman who looks just slightly older than your mother, “H-hi, excuse me?”

She turns around and welcomes you with a warm smile. She had kind green eyes and salt-pepper hair and a tall lady, “Why hello there! You must be (Y/N) right?”

“How did you know?” You shyly ask though quite surprised she correctly guessed.

“You look a lot like your mother, darling.” She smiles, “I’m Berverly, very lovely to meet you.”

“Wonderful to meet you too, ma’am—oh this is for you and your family, it’s freshly baked cookies.” You lifted the container to show her its contents.

“Wow, they look great! I might take one later, I got dirty hands—can I kindly ask you to bring it inside? My kids are there, maybe give it to Donna, our youngest Victor might eat everything, he loves cookies.”

“Sure.” You nodded.

“Thanks, darling,” Beverley paused as you reluctantly followed the path towards their porch, “Don’t be shy, go on ahead~”

You entered through the front door, which was already open, and carefully navigate your way through the maze of boxes that were spread out across the floor. You then made your way towards the kitchen, where you heard voices and found Donna and Victor arguing over who would get the room that was the second largest.

“You don’t even need a room, you always sleep between mom and dad, you big baby!” Donna argued with her nine-year-old brother who wanted the room she also wanted.

“I’m not a big baby!!” Victor yelled at Donna and charged towards her, only for the older female to hold his head, his short arms unable to hit her.

“Okay, then you’re adopted!”

“Will you two shut up?! I’m taking that room, I’m the oldest.” You heard Stephen’s voice and you stopped your tracks.

“What?! You’re barely even home!” Donna told Stephen before doing a double-take when she saw you by the archway of the kitchen, “Oh hello—go away you gremlin, we have a visitor.”

Victor ceases trying to give Donna hits when he also notices you.

“Hi—um my mom baked you guys something.” You gave Donna a kind grin, and she motioned for you to join her and the others into the kitchen. You let out a long, slow breath since you weren't prepared to see your rescuer so quickly.

Donna peaked inside the container and her smile grew, “Wow thank you. . . What’s your name?”

You gave Stephen a brief glance, and he was already looking at you quite attentively. He was still dressed in the same way, with the simple white shirt and the black Wrangler jeans. Because you despise the way that he causes you to feel extremely nervous, you have resolved to ignore him completely. It was clear that he, like everyone else, was interested in learning your name.

“My name is er—(Y/N).”

“I’m Donna!” She beamed and grabbed one of the cookies in the container.

“Are those cookies?!” Victor butted in and tried to peek inside the container as well.

“Yes but you can’t have some until you choose to stay in the smallest room.” A shrug from Donna, and she takes the container away from you while also getting it away from Victor, who is glaring at his older sister.

“Ugh fine! Just give me some and I’ll take the smallest room.”

“The things you’ll do for a cookie—unbelievable. No taking that back!” Donna narrowed her eyes on the little boy and took one whole cookie for him.

“Just give him half, mom’s limiting his sugar intake remember?” Stephen intervenes before Donna hands Victor the cookie.

“But I haven’t had any sugar at all today, Stephen! Please, please, please, let me have a whole one.” Victor pleaded but Stephen firmly shook his head.

“It’s either half or no cookie at all, bud. You choose.” Stephen shrugs.

“Ugh—ever since you went to college you’ve become so boring!” Victor stomped his feet and turned towards Donna to beg, “Donna? Pleeeease.”

Donna looked at her older brother who shook his head then at the youngest who was giving her puppy eyes, “How about you eat one half today and one half tomorrow?”

“You guys would’ve eaten everything by then!”

“I can always make more if you want, but I’ll just have to put in way less sugar.” You reassured Victor whose frown grew into a smile.

“You’d do that?” Victor’s eyes sparkled.

You nodded, “Yeah, it’s really easy—”

“You’re the best! I’m Victor by the way!” Victor ran and gave you a hug, “Are you single by any chance? Stephen could use someone like you. He’s so miserable right now that’s why he’s taking a short break from college.”

Stephen started coughing severely after choking on the can of soda that he was drinking at the time. Donna, who was roaring with laughter, ran up to Stephen and gave him a few whacks on the back as she did so. You, on the other hand, were rendered speechless and your face became as red as a tomato as a reaction towards the child's unfiltered mouth.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

“Sasha?" Vanessa opened the door after knocking a few times, prompting Sasha to quickly hide the journal under the pillows.

"Yes?" She smiled innocently at her grandmother.

"Dinner’s ready, come on down."

“Oh okay.” Sasha slides out of the bed and heads downstairs together with her grandmother, “What did you cook?”

“I heard from your mom that you love mushroom cream risotto so we made it for you.” Vanessa places her hands over the girl’s shoulders as they descend down the stairs towards the kitchen.

“Can you make me some chocolate chip cookies? Mom never has time to make homemade cookies for me. . .” Sasha glanced at her grandma who nodded.

“Of course I can, my love. We can make some together tomorrow, I’ll teach you my recipe.” Vanessa winked and Sasha smiles, feeling excited to try the cookies that you offered the Stranges all those years ago.

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