#c. jasmine01

[whitneyxrossi]

It demanded more effort than she wanted others to know to walk trough the doors of the bakery. Whitney hadn't been an actual out and about customer for nearly a month now. She had good reasons, but people around her were pushing her to get out of her hidey hole. And she supposed things weren't going to get better if she stayed in it.. so what the hell, right? Her head was pounding from the night out she'd had yesterday, the effects of a mean hangover clinging to her body still. Maybe that was it. The need for black, deep, rich coffee so strong that it had her toss her worries of being observed and judged to the wind. Hands deep in one of her brothers way too big hoodies, she stepped up to the counter. "Coffee please? Is 'Black as my soul' on the menu?" she teasingly asked Jaz with a small smile.

@jxsminebailey

[thetjbailey]

Theo knew he wouldn't have made it through without Jazzy supporting him and calling, even showing up for visits. He was beyond grateful to have an older sister that was not only super involved, but also cared so much about him. She would always go the extra mile for him and in return he would do anything for her. They had always been fairly inseparable, even as kids. "Jaz when do you think I get up? I'm at the bakery at three or four am every single morning." he couldn't help but shake his head in amusement that she seemed to think he got out of being up at the crack of dawn. "And yeah, sometimes it does suck. But its all about routine. Once you are in the groove, its not so bad." he shrugged. Once inside the store, Theo tried to remember what size he was as he began browsing t-shirts. "It is. For real, he never would." he agreed with a chuckle, playfully rolling his eyes at her elbowing him. "My fate is in your hands sis."

It had been weird for her, having a brother in jail, but she had never doubted that he'd get through it. She was always there for him and always would be, loving both of her siblings more than anything else in this world. So having him back was great and something she was so thankful for. "True, though thankfully you don't have to get up that early to start working," she pointed out, as bakeries started working before they actually opened, "because that shit sucks." She said with a giggle as they walked into the mall to get started shopping. "But that's good about your PO, and yeah I highly doubt dad would fire you even if you burnt the muffins," she said with a playful elbow job to his side. "Oh you'll be looking great by the end of the day."

[whitneyxrossi]

Whitney wasn't the best at making friends. It wasn't that she was unapproachable, but rather that she was shy enough that inserting herself into conversations or talking to people who didn't talk to her first was a struggle. And once she made friends, she often found out that they had very different interests and wanted to party and drink more than she was comfortable with. Which was why she often found herself more in touch with the friends she had that were older than her. Who weren't, like her peers, in their Uni party phase. "I mean I did this to myself. You know I've never been too much of a drinker, but lately I just feel like its a good way to let loose and try to let go." she said with a shrug, somewhat explaining her behavior, giving Jazzy an appreciative smile. "Maybe we should mix it up then. Its been too long since you and I had some fun." she suggested. An 'eh' life sounded safe though. "Oh you know, working trough my friends death. Trying and failing not to relive loosing my dad.. it hasn't been the brightest of months."

Some of the customers from the bakery had become somewhat of a little friend group that Jazzy held near and dear to her heart. Some of them had become so close that she'd even venture to hang out with them outside if business hours. Whitney was absolutely one of those people. Though jazzy could sense that Whitney was going through something and she couldn't necessarily put her finger on the what or the why. So making herself available, she'd offer up any sort of help or advice if need be. "You're very welcome," she said with a friendly smile after bringing over the small treat and water, hydration and eating were much needed after drinking. "I'm okay, things are eh," she said with a shrug, indicating that life was neither exciting nor boring at the same time. "But what about you?" She asked, reaching to squeeze Whitney's hands.

[thetjbailey]

Being away from one another had been hard but they had gotten trough it. Despite all the years that had gone by, awfully slowly for him but quite differently he imagined for both Jazzy and his dad, Theo had to try to live in the present. Focus on what was good now and what they could do now that he was a free man again. Even if he still felt like he had one foot inside his prison cell. Acclimating would take him some time, to say the very least. Meeting his sisters gaze, he nodded. "I mean he's hardly there when I am since I get up before the crack of dawn to bake but its nice to feel like I'm contributing and helping dad out. And it does look good to my PO. He's content that I have a job with minimal risk of getting fired." He had to grin a little at that last bit. He would have to do something truly horrific to make his father fire him. Feeling the force of her push only made Theo laugh as he too exited the car and fell in step with her walking towards the mall. "At least I'll look super hip when you are done."

For those years TJ had been locked up, Jazzy missed her partner in crime. It was difficult having one person who you shared just about everything with, someone you grew up with to suddenly be under the watchful eye of the criminal justice system. But that was the past and Jazzy was so happy to have her little brother home. She unbuckled her own seat belt and nodded as he spoke, "that's good and yeah working with dad has to be good and look good for your PO right?" She asked, always having heard that someone who got out had a parole officer and they'd check up on them from time to time. "Ew dude!" She exclaimed and punched him again, this time a little bit harder. "I don't, " she exclaimed in a huff and got out of the car, "let's go," she nodded towards the mall. "T-shirts it is."

[whitneyxrossi]

Whitney knew she was going down a path that wasn't the best. Drinking away her grief wasn't going to do much good, and she should probably simply start seeing a therapist or something. But if she did, her mom would suggest something even more invasive, and she didn't know how to talk her out of it. So instead she didn't act. At least she was lucky to have friends to talk to. Jazzy wouldn't tell anyone how she was doing. Besides, she wouldn't judge her for her current activities either. The sight of more baked goos and water made Whitney quirk up some. "Thank you." she said with emphasis, for once feeling hungry enough to start picking apart the pastry right away. "How have you been?" she asked, curious to know. Jasmine was less scared to live the life she wanted, which meant Whit was no stranger to living vicariously trough her friend.

Jazzy loved the bakery, mostly because she got free food, but also because of the friends she made while working there. And Whitney, someone she was very good friends with, had quickly become one of her favorite customers. There was something about her that intrigued Jazzy and she always had enjoyed her company. She smiled at Whitney and shrugged at her question, "I guess so," with a little chuckle. After taking the last customers order from the line, Jazzy took a break and headed on over to Whitney's table. She brought an extra baked good for her and some water, to help her headache some. "I brought this in hopes that it would help," she said and settled in to the seat across from her friend.

[thetjbailey]

Theo was currently walking the straight and narrow as well he could. He'd done a lot of thinking before being released. About what being a free man meant. How to go about life once he was out. Most of all how to become a better person than the angry teen and young adult he had been. He knew his family was going to support him, and he was more than grateful for that. But that also meant they deserved to see that he was trying hard to show them he would do better from now on. "Its still strange, to be back out. Though I think I've gotten into a decent routine with work and cooking for dad." he said. Her playful response made him chuckle lightly. "No? You about to pimp your little brother out?" he joked back. Once the car stopped, he clipped his seatbelt off. "Hmm, guess t-shirts?" he suggested.

As they drove along, she nodded, paying attention to what he was saying as well as paying attention to the road ahead. "I know how that goes," she replied though in a different way of course. She was glad to get him out and about, even if it was just to go shopping. She figured getting him new clothes could boost his confidence and allow him to start anew. "Hmm, I can't guarantee anything you know," she said with a slight tease and light punch to his shoulder as they pulled into the lot of the mall. "So, anything in particular you want to start?"

[whitneyxrossi]

Whitney quite envied Jasmine her love of her family's business, if not also the way her parents seemed to support her no matter what her dreams of a future career might be. In comparison her disinterest in her own family's several businesses, and her mothers dismissal of her studies as a mere whim before she 'came to her senses' to fall in line and take over her work with time seemed.. harsh and daunting. Feeling Jasmine's hands squeeze her own brought Whitney back to the present, while also making her feel warm and a tad more at ease in face of her friends affections. "Yeah you would." she smiled a bit knowingly. Then again didn't anyone over eighteen? She could tell that Jazzy sympathized though, and that meant a lot. "I'd really like that. I'll be at my usual one." she said, briefly returning pressure to her friends hands before taking her cup and heading for her favorite table, at the very back corner of the bakery. Coffee and the book she had brought with her ought to help her settle her headache until Jasmine was free.

Even wwhen she didn't have to work whether at the country club or elsewhere, she found herself at the bakery. She was drawn to it like a moth to a flame and she wouldn't have it any other way. She had formed plenty of friendships there and being able to run into those people on a random day made it all the more fun. "Hey," she said back with a smile, "missed you around here," she replied looking about the crowded bakery. As Whitney squeezed Jazzy's hand, she gave her friend a reassuring smile. Putting down the cup she had, she took Whitney's hands in hers and squeezed them back. "Great, and I know how that goes." She said with a small chuckle and an eye roll, though she definitely felt for Whitney. "Give me like twenty minutes and then I can join you at a table if you'd like?"

[thetjbailey]

Theo leaned back against the seat after fastening his seatbelt, giving a slight shrug. "I'm doing alright. Trying to stay busy, you know?" He said with a soft smile. It was a fine line to dance with his family, wanting them to know he was doing okay, but also prove that he was not the same person who landed himself in jail to begin with. Even if he didn't really know who he was at this moment in time either. Just someone who wanted to do better and life a normal, risk free life. Besides he owed his dad and sister that after all he had put them trough by getting arrested and sentenced. "Can't think of a better person. You'll be just subjective enough, but not suggestive." he said, unable not to tease a little.

Turning the radio down as TJ entered her car, she gave him a big smile. "I'm doing good, how's my baby brother doing?" She asked patting him on the shoulder. She made sure his seat belt was fastened and everything before pulling out of the spot. She was glad to have him home, have him back in her life. She had always been worried about him on the inside, after everything that had happened. She had always tried to protect him to begin with but sometimes she just couldn't. But now that he was back, she made a point to try again. "So who better than to help you with your wardrobe than your big sister?"

[whitneyxrossi]

Normally, Whitney would already have been by once, if not twice for her morning coffee and then for a second one while studying somewhere in the back. She loved this place and since she lived so close she had the habit of considering it to be almost like a home away from home. It helped that coming around often allowed her to see Jazzy without them having scheduled anything. There weren't a lot left of the lifers she had grown up with. Some, like Jazzy and Nick came back.. "Hey. Missed you." she said, pulling out a small smile and reaching out her hand to squeeze Jasmine's free one in more of a proper greeting. "Then that is what I'll have a large one of, please." she said with a hollow giggle. Clearing her throat a little and pushing some of her brown locks out of her eyes. "Yeah.. decided to try and forget how rough life has been lately with too many drinks. Been a while since I had a genuine hangover."

Sometimes on her days off from the country club, Jazzy liked to pick up extra shifts at the bakery. Usually they were unpaid, which she didn't mind, she enjoyed working there. She got to know some of the customers, plus she got to see her friends when they came by. Whitney, being both a customer and friend, and not just from the bakery but from growing up in the same town, was someone Jazzy loved seeing. "Hey you," she said with a smile, then realizing Whitney didn't look too happy. "I mean it kinda is," she said with a chuckle, "rough night?"

[thetjbailey]

Theo was not one that found shopping all that engaging. Yet he didn't mind it too much if it was a social thing. Mostly because it was more fun to show off and play around with different looks if there was someone there to watch or do the same back. So when Jasmine had texted him that she wanted to take him shopping, he had agreed. More to spend time with her than anything else. His time inside had confirmed for him just how important his family was to him. And he had truly missed spending actual normal time with them. Now that he had the chance to do so again, he was not going to mess up or let any time go to waste. His phone chimed to tell him that Jazzy was outside, which made him get up from the couch and get his shoes on before exiting the house and locking up behind him. Making his way to her car, he pulled open the passenger door and slid in. "How's my favorite sis doing?" he asked as a greeting with a soft smile.

Who: @thetjbayley and Jazzy

Where: Teddy and TJ's place

When: July 2024

Jazzy absolutely adored her siblings and would do anything for them. So when TJ had moved in with their father, it gave Jazzy even more of an excuse to come visit. But this time, it was her mission to take TJ shopping. She figured since he got out, he'd need new clothes and who better to help a guy with clothes than his big sister? Pulling up to her dad's house, she text TJ that she was in front and waiting for him.