#the summer i turned pretty 1x02

[tvshowcloset]

Who: Rachel Blanchard as Susannah Fisher What: Staud Shirley Pvc And Leather Bag - $210.00 Where: The Summer I Turned Pretty 1x02 “Summer Dress”

Worn with: Staud dress

[winnie-the-monster]

[goldshadows]

things i'm currently watching bc people talked me into it and i'm weak.

bob's burgers ( 14x11 )

do.ctor w.ho ( 8x05 )

primeval ( 5x06 )

from ( 1x02 )

p.jo ( finished )

the bear ( 1x03 )

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia ( finished s16 )

the gentlemen ( finished )

alex rider ( 3x02 )

the rookie ( 1x03 )

fallout ( 1x08 )

die discounter ( finished )

baby reindeer ( ep 7 )

dead boy detectives ( ep 8 )

south park ( 1x05 )

teen wolf ( 6x10 )

sharp objects ( ep 2 )

the summer i turned pretty ( 2x08 )

bridgerton ( 3x08 )

jurassic world: chaos theory ( ep 10 )

raising voices

the boys ( 4x08 )

torchwood

my lady jane ( ep 8 )

criminal minds ( 17x10 )

the jetty

wayne

handmaid's tale ( 5x05 )

[zalrb]

The Summer I turned Pretty 1x02 Review -- Steven and Jere are boyfriends

idk steven watching jere make those eggs had a vibe. that would've been way more interesting even though steven is insufferable.

like that's flirting.

conrad go upstairs. ok there's just gonna be a few times when i call conrad connor. i can't keep backspacing.

that ass slap and that "ooh!" make them boyfriends.

they are ALL so unnatural. "this sounds expensive" "don't worry, laur, it's on me. it was my idea after all." like if they were friends, best friends, it shouldn't sound so stilted and formal like she's just getting to know someone.

Belly hasn't done anything for all of the cracks about how she needs etiquette, like I know she's "pretty" now but she can still have semblances of that, like in Love and Basketball, Monica is a baller and a tomboy who her sister dresses up for prom

but she forgets that she's in a dress so she sits the way she always does and has to quickly self-correct

I haven't seen anything like this.

Even their change room montage lacks chemistry, I wouldn't have thought that was possible, I thought they could at least fudge that but it doesn't have the spontaneity a sequence like that usually has, it's contained. The whole point of trying on different outfits in a show is to show bonding but they all still act like they don't know each other.

Gigi you've been in that pool long enough to know Jeremiah was there. Why wouldn't they just have her walk to the pool and have this conversation? DETAILS.

"Totally, yeah. I would, uh, love to take you surfing sometime." He's the charmer? I've seen charmers in action, even if they aren't interested they're charming, that's why charmers are dangerous. This is BAD.

"Take it in Steven, this is all ours." It's a pool with mostly children, Jere.

I hooked up with her, with him, with her, with him. A perfect pattern.

I just like to kiss and be cozy with people

mmhmm ok.

i would've 1000% preferred this over a love triangle and then belly can get mad that steven is stealing her thunder.

"Go get that bread." Never again. No AAVE on this show please.

"Oh my God, Belly, uh, I didn't even recognize you" she looks exactly the same, but you thought a guy's name was Cam Cameron, Jeremiah, so.

Even when he sneaks in to grab a sandwich, it's supposed to be he's such a charming kid I can't stay mad at him like he's basically supposed to be Aladdin

but he doesn't execute. Jeremiah is supposed to be like this guy I worked with at a hotel where like management ALWAYS put him as a greeter at the doors because he was charming and smiley and flirty and they would also make him do room service, which is just A LOT but anyway. Actor doesn't have the ease and the effortlessness to pull that off.

Why wouldn't Susannah cover up Belly's bruise? So this scene could happen, Zal.

"Dude, that's Belly's brother" was the most organic delivery out of that entire exchange.

Why would they start pouring the alcohol into their tea when Paige is right by their table making a speech.

Also doing it in a flask?

"A drive in movie" You can just say the drive in. Oh my god.

As a writer, Laurel's character annoys me so much.

"Daaaamn you look hot." She looks cute.

"Hey hey, stop flirting with my sister." Sound jealous there, Steven.

Sabrina. How on the nose.

So I have made up my mind that Jere and Steven are boyfriends.

Brooklyn hipsters don't sail?

Belly, why do you like Conrad?

This is supposed to be a hot and heavy kiss and it's not. They should've just stuck to the awkward cute kiss.

It's funny when shows now do things that are supposed to show how risque these characters are acting because it's all so clearly staged because she's straddling Steven on the beach but is very still and the framing is supposed to be OMG STRADDLING ON THE BEACH but it's clear that's what it's supposed to be instead of me feeling like these are just characters interacting, like it should really be something like this

LOL I'm not saying Conrad wasn't doing what Belly was saying he was doing, which he clearly was meant to be doing, but I'm also saying on the first night, Belly, you crashed a bonfire no one invited you to and then started antagonizing Conrad and Nicole and called him an asshole before storming off so going like WHY COULDN'T YOU JUST LET ME HAVE THIS ONE THING is a little rich. ALSO Conrad has been sullen and drinking since you got here but he hasn't actively impeded you from anything except for tonight when he showed up at the drive in and because we haven't seen your relationship before this I don't see any time where you wanted to do something and Conrad stopped you from doing it because he wanted you all to himself or he wanted you crushing on him so this confrontation just feels like projection, which would be fine if we spent more time with Belly and from her perspective Conrad keeps letting her down -- which I know is what the flashback scene was meant to be in season 2 where he brings her to the boardwalk so he can talk to a girl but that should actually be a flashback we see here. If anything, when Conrad has his Taylor Swift entrance that's when we could have "the first time my heart was ever broken", go to that flashback to establish her history with him and that dynamic and then do things throughout the episode to build upon that flashback.

"Why don't you go smoke some more pot" lmao the anti-drinking, anti-drug messaging is hilarious.

"Why don't you go look in the mirror some more?" Man, it's not like he said you're just a virgin who can't drive.

He could've been harsher if the whole point is that this is supposed to SO gut-wrenching.

"I wonder if this is how all crushes ended" I don't CARE about your crush Belly because the show has given me no reason to be invested in you two, it has given me no indication of why you would like him, what you two were like before this summer, what's so great and dreamy about him to you. The only REAL conversations you've had this summer is with Cam Cameron.

*SIGH*

[tsitpsource]

[mesillusionssousecstasy]

TSITP: 1x02 - Summer dress

- Conrad being hangover and not supportive for the ball, and of course drinking again. - Cereal scene between Jere and Belly button. - Jere like to kiss and be cozy with people.  - “Girls in sundresses are my kryptonite” said by Jere 5 minutes before Belly walked on him. He, also, told Steven that he will never be an escort. That was a foreshadowing for episode 6/7. Jere did everything he wouldn’t do just for Belly.  After that, he told her she looks good and escorted her to the tea room. Finally, saying to Page, that Belly was his future wife. I can only presume that’s a big foreshadowing!  - Gigi asking to Belly if her and Jeremiah are like a thing? Or are you gonna take him to the ball? (foreshadowing hints).  - Jere stopping the video game for Belly and walking toward Belly saying she looks hot.  - Belly went to see Sabrina (and the two brothers Larrabee) ; major foreshadowing.  - Jere is the only one who doesn’t want to watch Belly hooking up with some kid in the back seat of a minivan Vs Conrad wanted to go there just to crash Belly date on a Saturday night. 

[abucketoflittledreams]

[ferrisbuellers]

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY (2022—) 1x02: Summer Dress

[draconisxmalfoy]

The Summer I Turned Pretty 1x02 | Summer Dress

[sophiexrph]

LOLA TUNG GIF PACK

PUBLIC COMMISSION !! by clicking THE SOURCE LINK you will be redirected to a page with 305 gifs ( 268x151 ) of LOLA TUNG as ISABEL “BELLY” CONKLIN in THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY 1x04 & 1x05 made from scratch by me, sophie ! lola was born in 2002 ! please don’t edit these or add them to gif hunts and like or reblog if you use them ! :) thank you so much to my commissioner, and click this link if you’d like to know more about my commissions ! DO NOT BE WEIRD WITH THESE, DO NOT USE THEM TO RP T*BOO TOPICS, I AM LITERALLY BEGGING YOU

trigger warnings for eating // underage drinking & drunkenness (like a lot of it) // water (ocean & pool) // kissing

1x01 here ! 1x02 & 1x03 here ! 1x06 and 1x07 here !

[what-do-1000-swords-look-like]

One of the things I've noticed is the show tends to provide stand-ins for Buck and Eddie whenever they are unavailable to each other for a period of time, no matter the reason.

I've already talked about Taylor and Ana being stand-ins but one of the bigger ones I feel like the show didn't go out of their way to be subtle with was Lena in season 3.

She provided a friend for Eddie and a partner, someone that he was starting to rely on a little, until Buck comes back, Lena goes back to the 136, and she shuts it down. This show was not shy about some of these parallels and her very obvious (but temporary) role in Eddie's life at that time:

Buck sees Lena and the 136 crew saving a man at the pier (Lena's introduction to the show) and says "The universe is mocking me"

Lena's captain is important to her "He believed in me. He made who I am."; Bobby is important to Buck "He could have given up on me so many times but he never did."

Buck is awed by Eddie's medical skills (2x01) plus "Good call."; Lena is awed by Eddie's quick call on the secondary drowning (3x03) "Good catch."

Eddie tells Buck that he doesn't need to be threatened by him and they're on the same team (2x01); Eddie to Lena: "Sorry, it doesn't look like you're getting rid of me anytime soon." (3x03)

Buck and Christopher are on top of the 136 truck

Eddie meets Lena and they work together to save people from the Ferris Wheel; Buck climbed a rollercoaster in 1x02; Lena climbed the Ferris Wheel in 3x02

Buck is hurt looking for Christopher; Lena is hurt looking for her captain

Buck is told Christopher is not on the list of survivors they've found; Lena is told her captain is not on the list of survivors they've found

Athena is married to Bobby and helps save him consistently (2x06, 4x14); Athena finds Cooper and is able to help save him (3x03); Athena is also heavily paralleled to Buck

Buck wants to get back to being a firefighter despite the PE and blood thinners; Lena wants to get back to looking for her captain despite broken ribs

Buck is stubborn; Lena is stubborn "You can try to stop me if you wanna know exactly what two broken ribs feel like."

Lena calls out to Eddie (interrupting convo of Buck and firefam) asking for a spot on weight bench (3x04); Eddie calls out to Taylor asking how she is faring after the helicopter crash while using the weight bench during her talking to Buck (2x06)

Eddie is always handing Buck equipment (like 3x17); Eddie hands Lena her jacket (3x04)

Eddie is on winch for Lena (3x04); Eddie and Buck have taken turns being on the winch for each other (3x15; 4x12)

Eddie discusses what Christopher's therapist said with Lena while hitting the punching bag (3x04) Lena slaps him to tell him to keep his hands up; Buck discusses his blowup at his parents with Eddie while hitting the punching bag (4x04) & says "I don't need anymore therapy", Eddie reaches out and stops bag moving so Buck will hear him

"Oh great, I feel encouraged." when Lena is telling Eddie about how she went to a therapist when she was a kid after her dad died (3x04); "I'm pretty sure I brought in the brochure so you all could make me feel better about him going." when Buck says Chris is too young to go to summer camp (3x18)

Lena handles the saw in 3x05; Buck sometimes handles the saw (3x18, 4x10)

Lena: "I also hope this guy doesn't have a lawyer." (3x05); Buck has a lawyer, Chase Mackey, and this is after the arbitration hearing has already happened, plus "I'm not allowed to talk to Buck" (next scene is literally Buck rushing into his lawyer's office)

Lena introduces Eddie to the fights as a healthy outlet for his anger; Lena hands Buck the sledgehammer at the rage room

Eddie and Lena share beer at the fights "Hold my beer"; beer has become a main prop for Eddie and Buck

Lena is Eddie's temporary partner while Buck is out; she takes Buck's locker for gear, Buck sees this and removes her name in 3x04

Lena is who Eddie calls to bail him out of jail when Buck is no longer an option "I'm not allowed to talk to Buck" (the only person besides Abuela that Eddie mentions by name and who he can't call)

Buck thinks there's something going on with Eddie, knows something isn't right (3x08); Lena wants to know what is going on with Eddie and tells him the fighting has become an obsession (3x08); Chim knows something is going on with Hen (3x08)

Buck: "Maybe I could have talked some sense into you." (3x09); Lena attempts to talk sense into Eddie a few times (3x05, 3x08)

Not to mention the look Lena has watching after Eddie when he goes to wash up in 3x03 "Sorry, it doesn't look like you're getting rid of me anytime soon."; similar to how Buck watches after Eddie on several different occasions

It's insane how obvious and loudly they were letting us know that Lena was temporary and she was only there because Eddie needed Buck, and Buck wasn't there (during the lawsuit arc), and that once Buck (that reliance, that support) is gone, Eddie begins to spiral out slightly.

Just crazy.

I, for one, would love to see Lena come back at some point. Even if it's just for one episode. Something tells me that she would be a lot like Carla and speak her mind, calling Eddie out on his bullshit on a certain topic.

[tvshowcloset]

Who: Rachel Blanchard as Susannah Fisher What: Staud Millie Maxi Dress - $325.00 (in Navy) Where: The Summer I Turned Pretty 1x02 “Summer Dress”

Worn with: Staud bag

[winnie-the-monster]

[thetaoofbetty]

You're so right about B*rchie fans and trying to mold them into an endgame that makes sense. I don't understand the narrative they have on it being boring to keep the same couples together. A lot of teen shows do? Seth and Summer were established early in S1 of the OC and mostly stayed a couple throughout the show apart from a few hiccups. Why would people root for a couple of you show them having serious romances with others?

it’s pretty weird to me that they look so deeply into all these other shows that generally establish or have first season couples end up together. yes, dawson’s creek didn’t do that and that could be why they thought b/a fit into that for pjo but the archetypes are still all wrong so they were just grasping at ideas. 

and i see them being like, “the same couples are boringggggg” but i doubt they’d be saying that if b/a had happened from s1 like they wanted. and i think people can root for people even with serious relationships with others because we change and grow as people over time and all that but i know a lot of them like naley, who is one of the most together couples of any teen show, ever. 

they were together, with a few hiccups that didn’t involve dating other people, for 9 seasons. so, a lot of that argument is made in bad faith. there’s a reason that shows keep coming back to their most beloved couples—people are loyal to characters and dynamics. if you don’t like that about the show you’re watching, you might be watching the wrong show. 

i didn’t particularly enjoy watching the b/a stuff but i did it anyway because i know it was just a bump in the road for bugvarchie. if i had shipped b/a, i would have probably figured it was a long shot around the time archie looked at veronica like his world shifted just enough to make a space for her when he saw her at pop’s the first time. 

or, if that didn’t do it for me, the second the camera focuses on jughead when betty turns around in 1x02 and the way he looks at her like he forgets how to breathe, i feel like that could have also done it. 

what i would have done was either not watch because it would have bothered me to see them with other people for years or i would have shipped them on the side of canon and simply not harass people over it. i know where they got a lot of their recent analysis and it’s wrong. that person is simply wrong. i know they think they’re right and they made their own arguments in good faith on their end but it all came from a place of not understanding what they were arguing fully in the first place. 

that person reminds me very much of an argument i watched someone barely out of high school have with a woman in another fandom and they were like, “i know movies and how stories work and you’re wrong. your analysis is wrong. every word you’re saying is wrong. what do you know about storytelling anyway?” 

and this woman, who had been so graceful in the face of such petty harassment just deadpanned, “i have a phd in english literature.” and it is still, to this day, my most favorite fandom response that i’ve ever seen. 

watching a lot of tv doesn’t mean much if you lack the skills to interpret it properly in the first place. 

[mischas]

what do you think are some of the most underrated ryan and marissa moments? i think there are a lot of little things people forget from season 3, cos it's so bad as a whole

Ahh, okay, I’ll get emo over this for u

1x06 when Caleb’s girlfriend tells Ryan "I’d give anything to be that miserable. [...] That’s what it feels like to be in love”

1x07 Maybe this isn’t underrated but “Did you ever wonder why I came to the poolhouse to find you?” “Every day”

Their interactions in 1x12. They’re very sweet and very ‘together’ amid Luke’s heavy storyline. Even with their fight, and Ryan accusing Marissa of breaking his trust (oof), they’re in a nice place. I love the two seconds we see of Marissa’s habit of driving both Ryan and Seth to school. Love that they did that for months.

1x22 “You can be the beauty” I DIE

2x04 Seth says, right in front of them I may add, “Ryan and Marissa, that’s an epic tale right there”

2x05 “The penguin likes Marissa”

2x06 Two moments that are blink and you miss it. First in the poolhouse Marissa knows Ryan is sitting far away from her on purpose so she says something like “hey, I don’t bite” and the fact that he purposefully added distance between them always said something to me. The other moment is at the end of the ep in the left hand corner I believe. When Marissa is holding a tray of eggnog, Ryan puts a yamaclaus on her head. Maybe it was just Ben and Mischa fooling around but it’s super cute.

2x07 When he puts his arm around her in the Cohen kitchen. They already had bagels, but she brought some over as a peace offering for her behavior the night before. How Seth and Ryan both say their old ones were stale and Ryan says, “Almost chipped a tooth” it’s SO charming and sweet and the more I think about it, that’s one of my absolute favorite scenes of the show.

2x17 “I thought ugly hats were your thing”

2x21 they actually do have a phone call during this ep where he says he wishes he was home and she says the same and the way they can never fully say what they mean is VERY them lol

2x23 When he asks her to prom

3x01 Sandy says “You have a hell of a girlfriend. And if you two get married, you’ll have one hell of a mother-in-law.” I get chills from this line. This is what I DESERVED.

3x02 This is also probably not underrated but their scene on the ferris wheel. Love my reminiscent babes. “We’ve just got to find our moments” OH and earlier in that ep when Ryan apologizes to her at the lifeguard stand and plays with her fingers. It’s one of the few times in s3 I feel like we see them being fluid with one another. The way they talk with their hands held, talking about getting through this year together. Damn, that closeness was right there, and then it’s just thrown away. Another addition in this ep is when Sandy and Julie meet with the dean and Sandy remarks, “One Montague, one Capulet” referencing RM being Romeo and Juliet. A small moment but cute.

3x04 Before Forever Young, Marissa talks about the dance “I spent the whole time wishing you were there”

3x05 Marissa comparing Ryan leaving to Jimmy leaving and calling him a coward, and also when Ryan shows up to have lunch with Marissa at Newport Union. It’s very couple-y.

3x06 Summer says Marissa is busy and Ryan says “Is she studying? Because I’ve been known to get her to blow off some schoolwork”

3x07 Not sure these are underrated but the hug on the beach is perfect and their scene at the end in front of the fire is really nice too. There’s also a moment at the Bait Shop with Johnny when Marissa is saying something and she slaps Ryan’s arm (really lightly) to get him to say something too. It’s really subtle but cute.

3x08 When Ryan surprises Marissa at NU and they kiss. Also the end scene where they’ve basically made plans to go to Berkeley together talking to SS “We’ll be in Northern California, you’ll be in Rhode Island”

3x09 “You got a lap dance?” is really cute and I LOVE the talk they have at the end where Marissa is on the bed in the poolhouse and Ryan is in her room. You’d think the Johnny story would’ve been kaput at this point but no

3x11 When Marissa says she hasn’t seen Johnny in weeks and says she, Ryan, Seth, and Summer spent like a whole month hanging out, and later Summer tells Ryan about Marissa’s weird penchant for befriending strange dudes “It’s the way she’s wired. You wouldn't love her if she wasn’t” which says a LOT

3x12 In Marissa’s closet “I do have a great boyfriend” “You have a great boyfriend”

3x13 Kaitlin prods Ryan about Marissa and picks up a framed photo of them at the beach from 3x01. What was this doing in his room. On his bedside table. Did Marissa give it to him? Did he frame it???? Alright also when Kaitlin prods Marissa about Ryan she says “Yeah, you guys are soulmates, blah, blah, blah” as if she’s heard those words from her sister’s mouth a million times before

3x14 When they’re making out in the poolhouse and Marissa answers Kaitlin’s call “I’m busy” and Ryan says “Gettin’ busy” into her neck it’s very practiced and fluid in a way we never got to see them that season and I will rage forever. Also Kaitlin’s metaphor about Baskin Robbins ice cream basically saying Marissa was afraid of her love for Ryan and found other avenues to run away from the one thing she loved most. Very intense and never brought up again, so yeah.

3x17 I love the angst of this episode. They finally feel like teenagers again, awkwardly avoiding each other in the halls at school. The model home stuff is not underrated, but I love the angst of the moment Marissa turns away at the end of the episode, fully convinced she shouldn’t be in Ryan’s life. It’s sad and parallels to 1x02 so much. I love that she made him a copy of The Model Home Mix. I love the details they added that Ryan had always wanted another copy. Summer mentioning the romantic feel of the gesture. I love that Ryan was able to sit in her trailer and listen to it without her knowing. That tether of theirs still holding them together somehow. He’ll never tell her he listened to it and she’ll never tell him she made it. My babes.

3x18 This scene is more annoying than anything because of what we didn’t get to see or be aware of. When Marissa and Summer are at the Bait Shop talking about sex and Marissa basically says she and Ryan never had a problem with it, and that they were pretty heavily involved even during the Johnny era. What the hell, right

3x19 Ryan very clearly waiting for Marissa at her lifeguard stand

3x22 Every single scene of theirs is great but things I loved were Marissa asking about Ryan’s architecture lecture (ugh), their banter and awkwardness, and of course Marissa telling Ryan that she could see his happiness at Berkeley “I could see it on your face” and knowing he belonged there. 

3x23 When he puts his arm around her at prom

3x24 “Can I buy you breakfast?” and their SMILES. The growth, the maturity, the clean slate. God, I love this scene SO much.

I’m gonna stop now because it’s 1:30am and I typed this gibberish 95% from memory in one sitting which means I know way too much about this show and this couple. Also you were probably expecting like 5 moments not 29 sorry!!

[sheridanfalls]

1X02

1x01 | 

Tazia rolled over in the bed, Fletcher laying shirtless next to her above the sheets. The room was dark except for the glow of two phones. She gently pushed the blankets off her body as she took her phone of the charger.

20 missed calls.

She glanced back to make sure Fletcher was asleep before slipping into the bathroom. She locked the door and sat in the large jacuzzi tub as she took a deep breath before hitting call on the first number.

It didn’t ring long, “Ana.” The voice was relieved for a moment but layered with something else.

“Hey Key.” Her voice unsteady, “is it true, or did I make a total fool out of myself on National TV for no reason.”

“It’s true Ana, Willa is really gone.”

“How did Mom take it?” She wrapped her arms around herself, keeping her eyes on the door.

Her brother sighed, “Not good, not as dramatically as you, but um, not well.”

“And Dad?”

“He’s been sitting in his den since he got home today.”

“At least Belle is with you.”

“She’s out of town, she’s on a girl’s weekend with some college friends. She won’t have phone service until she comes back on Monday.”

Tazia scrunched her face up, “I’m sorry.” She looked away from the door, “I’m going to come home. I’ll be on the first flight in the morning.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I can sneak into the state pretty undetected. Besides, people will just think that I’m going to rehab. That’s the narrative surrounding me right now, isn’t it?”

“Unfortunately.” He wanted to say more, “You can stay at my place, instead of the ranch.”

“I’ll figure it out, I don’t want to impose on you and Belle.”

“You’re my sister, my other half Ana.”

“Do you think Mom would let me stay at the ranch?”

“Dad will, and she would just have to accept it.”

“I’m going to go and book a flight right now.”

“Ana, please don’t bring Fletcher.”

“I had no intention of doing so. He can hang out in LA for all I care.” Tazia let her eyes drift to the door again, “I don’t want him to know about Willa, I don’t want that as part of my story.”

Keaton sighed, “Willa is a part of our story, if she wanted to be or not. I don’t think you need to share it. I don’t think any of us need to share it.”

“Kara showed up, didn’t she?”

“Yeah, she brought a casserole.”

“Hey Key.”

“Yeah Ana?”

“Is it true we have a niece?”

“Yeah, but that is a whole other can of worms I’m not ready to open. We can talk about that when you get home.”

“Yeah, I’ll text you the details. I love you Key.”

“I love you too Ana.”

***

Belle rested her forehead against Mitch’s, their bodies glistening from the evening activities so far. Every touch felt deeper, filled with more passion then she could remember every feeling outside of this cabin.

Mitch kissed her neck, his fingers feathering down her body. “I can’t get enough of you.”

She moaned at his touch as he pulled her closer for more. Any thoughts, any care for her life outside of the cabin were forgotten as she allowed herself to get lost in the moment. Clinging to Mitch she cried out his name as she threw her head back on the couch.

His put his foot on the floor to regain balance, hitting the TV power button as he did so.

This afternoon pop star Tazia collapsed on live television before performing her latest single. Her manager Fletcher Curtis explained that she was exhausted from preparing for her tour and will take a short vacation before it starts this summer.

Neither heard the TV, just the sounds of their own desires being met as they continued enjoying their limited time together.

***

Georgina Woodward finished taping up the final box in her living room. She just had a few more things to pack up in the kitchen and bathroom. In the morning the movers would arrive, and everything would be loaded onto a truck and brought to Sheridan Falls.

She wasn’t thrilled about the move, but she understood why her husband Mitch wanted to move out of Denver. He was able to work anywhere, and why be in the city when you could just be in a nice small town.

Yet he had arranged for this move to happen when he was off at a conference in Dallas. She could strangle her husband, if she didn’t love him so damn much.

She picked up her phone, hitting the icon to call him, feeling her stomach sink when it went to voicemail, “Hey babe, everything is packed, I’m going to take a shower, get ready for bed. The movers will be here early, I just wish you were here for this. I love you Mitch.”

Running her hands through her dark chestnut hair she sighed, her whole life was packed up in boxes, tomorrow she would be starting a new chapter, it just felt weird her husband wasn’t with her for this.

***

“Hello, and welcome to another episode of Coffee, Donuts, and Crime. I’m your host Kara Greene and I’ve got an update for you on the case of Willa Hughes.” Kara spoke into the microphone, surrounded by the low lights of her salt lamp and a couple of candles as well as the dimmed overhead light.

She was alone as she spoke to the camera, as though she were just having a video chat with friends. “As you all know this case as stayed with me since I first started looking into it. Willa Hughes ran away from home in the spring of 2000. Her mother Rosemary never gave up hope that Willa would be found and return home.”

Kara took a sip from her coffee mug, “Unfortunately, this afternoon we found out that for all these years Willa was okay, she was happy, married, and had a daughter. She was also killed in a car accident in Utah this morning.”

Tucking her blonde hair behind her ear she continued as she focused on the camera, “Willa Hughes, for the past almost twenty years has been known as Willow Chase, the wife of Bennett Chase the leader of the Fire Yoga movement. It’s understood that their teenage daughter was not in the car with them. The Hughes family has not made a public comment at this time.”

“Also, this afternoon, Pop Princess Tazia passed out on live television. Social Media immediately began to come alive with theories of substance abuse. Her manager however said it was simply exhaustion.” She took another sip of her drink, “We all know Tazia loves the spotlight, who can forget her feud with Joel Riley after they broke up. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I have a feeling we’ll be seeing far more headlines about Tazia before too long.”

“I’ll be back soon as we dive into a new case, and with more updates about past ones when possible. Until then have some Coffee and a Donut, and we’ll meet up soon for another chat. Bye all.” Kara reached forward clicking the camera off and watching as the file uploaded to her laptop.

She turned the lights up, before she pulled up her editing software. She just had a few things to put in. If she was lucky tomorrow Rosemary would call her up and arrange a new interview. Rosemary was always willing to talk about Willa, she would even brag about Keaton.

Kara felt the memory flash over her for a moment. Keaton close to her, his eyes clear with fire. She could feel the heat rising in her body. He came close to kissing her in the barn that day. She was still sure of it, yes, he’d been engaged at the time—he was married now to the lifestyle vlogger, but Keaton had wanted her.

As Kara went through the motions of her editing she glanced to her phone, seeing multiple text messages from her sister Sharon. She pulled them up, rolling her eyes.

Did you see him?

Do you just want to rip his shirt off and lick his chest?

He threw you off the ranch and told you to burn in hell, right?

Sex with him would probably be the hottest thing on the planet.

She quickly began to type a reply. Keaton was the only one their when I brought over a casserole. He pretty much told me to stay away. I’m sure Rosemary will reach out soon. I have no desire to have sex with Keaton Hughes even if he was the last man on earth.

Before she even put the phone down, she saw that Sharon had replied. She ignored her for now, she had a video to get out.

***

“She’s not going to call you.” Alec Riley looked over at his older brother.

“Who?” Joel took a sip from his pint glass as he glanced up at the tv above the bar.

Alec laughed, “You’re telling me that you don’t expect to hear from Tazia? She’s going to come; Rosemary would never let her live it down.”

“Tazia is a myth, a figment.” Joel looked at the golden drink filling half his glass, “Ana, she’s real, lost in a shadow, needing to be the good daughter.”

“It doesn’t matter what name she is using. She cheated on you with her manager. She’s been attached to him ever since.”

Joel rolled his eyes, “I expect to hear this stuff from Phoebe, not from you. What are you doing following only TMZ on twitter?”

Alec leaned back in his seat, a smirk on his face, “Come on Bro, I’ve been following this ever since you’re dance battle.”

“That didn’t happen.” Joel whined, “We didn’t get into a dance battle. You can’t believe everything you read on those trashy websites.”

“Come on Joel, I really love the mental picture of you and Tazia fighting it out via dance. Like, come on, the picture just paints itself.” Alec looked around, “I can almost hear the music playing, first it would be one of her songs, then your dance hit, the really bad 2000s outfits, I mean come on.”

Joel knew what night his brother was speaking about. It was the last time besides an award show they had been anywhere near each other. For a moment Joel believed that if he and Ana got to talk, that they would clear up everything. Then he saw the way Fletcher Curtis slunk his arms around her on the dance floor.

It might not have been the dance battle that TMZ had reported or lived in the legend of old gossip sites long abandoned. Joel had pulled his back up dancer Chloe out onto the floor. Kept her close, even closer when he felt that Ana was looking. Did he kiss Chloe at one point on the dance floor, yes? When he pulled away did he see Ana locked in a hot and heavy kiss with Fletcher? He sure as hell did.

“Joel, Joel, Joel!” Alec snapped, about ready to slap his brother in the face.

“Sorry, I spaced out.”

“You never got over her, did you?”

“You never get over your first love.” Joel let a smile cross his lips as he thought about the first time, he an Ana kissed, it was the night before Willa ran away.

“I’ll take your word for it.” Alec shook his head, “Remember, I’m the heartless one who has never been in love, while you’ve written some of the most annoying love songs ever. Seriously, if I have to go to one more wedding and hear Summer Dance again I might kill you in your sleep.”

Joel rolled his eyes, “At least I’m not the one who sings it.”

“Thank God for small favors.” He sighed, “Well, it’s late. We should get back to the ranch.”

Joel tossed some cash onto the bar, “I can’t wait until we have the ranch set up and going. It’ll mean less trips into town.”

“Yeah, coming into town is totally the worse thing ever.” Alec froze as the door opened, in she stepped with her pitch-black hair, precious moment eyes, and full lips.

“Alec, you coming?”

“Yeah, sorry.” He followed his brother outside, glancing towards the window once more.

“Who is she?”

Alec shrugged, “No idea.”

“Let’s go.” Joel pushed him towards the truck. “We have an early morning.”

“Remind me why I agreed to be your foreman?”

“Because I’m a spoiled popstar with money to burn, and willing to pay you, give you a place to live in my giant house, let you swim in my indoor pool, oh and because I’m your brother.”

“I liked it better when you called yourself a spoiled popstar.” Alec took one more look towards the bar, wondering who the raven-haired beauty was.

***

Fletcher reached across the bed, pulling a pillow against him, breathing in its scent before realizing he was alone in the bed. “Taz?”

The morning sun was starting to come through the curtains. He threw the sheets aside and went to check his phone, at that moment that her phone was gone. He looked at this screen.

Had to go to Colorado. I need to see Keaton, twin thing. Do. Not. Follow. Stay in NYC, manage the whole passing out on live TV thing. Thanks.

He groaned. Every damn time she went back to Colorado, which thankfully wasn’t often he had to calm her down. Anytime she had been around her mother she would come back spiraling. Though he wasn’t as worried about her dealing with her mother, it was just a hassle. It was that Joel fucking Riley had texted her after the incident on TV.

He pulled open a drawer, pulling out a pair of sweatpants a t-shirt before he found the number, “Why the fuck did you let her leave?”

***

She hadn’t packed anything, she just got on the first flight she could. While she’d been waiting for it to board at JFK, she reserved a car at DIA, and put together a curbside pickup order for Target.

Her hair was pulled in a simple braid, she had no false lashes on, no makeup at all. She wore a pair of jeans, and a CU hoodie. She just looked like any average woman flying out. She had her purse of course, which she had filled with the few things she could think she needed.

In all honesty, she couldn’t recall the last time she had packed for herself, and since she had no idea how long she would be in Colorado, she didn’t know what to pack. So, while on the target app she ordered the basics of what she might need for a couple of days, including a basic black dress, everything was done under her real, legal name.

After she’d picked up her order at Target, she drove through the mountains to Sheridan Falls. She pulled over to the side of the road, taking a moment for herself. She had to decide now, did she go to Keaton’s house or her parents?

The dread in her stomach told her what she knew. Going straight to Keaton would be cowardly, she would have to go to the ranch first. However, her parents reacted would determine if she stuck around or went to spend the night at Keaton’s.

She started the car, pausing for a moment as a familiar voice hit her ears. Of course, it would be this song as she entered Sheridan Falls. Joel, he’d left her. Just walked out one day, and then a scathing song about her, accusing her of cheating.

Tazia felt cold as she remembered how it felt when she realized her was gone. And then the day that song came out, the music video dropping. She wouldn’t have to see Joel if she didn’t want to.

She did have to see her mother no matter what.

Might as well get it over with as soon as possible.

***

Keaton locked the front door of his house. He hadn’t slept much, but he had finished painting Belle’s office. He moved down to his truck, realizing that a moving truck was blocking his driveway. Sighing he moved towards the street, “Excuse me, you’re blocking my driveway.”

“Sorry bud, we’ll be out of the way in a minute.” The mover insisted.

Keaton wasn’t so sure as he walked around the truck, but they were almost empty. The team of men moving quickly to bring stuff into the old Windsor house.

“I’m so sorry.” A female voice came from behind him, “I’m trying to get them out as soon as possible.”

“It’s okay, they’re almost done.” Keaton turned to her, she was probably his age, with red hair lit by the son, “I’m Keaton Hughes.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Georgina Woodward, my husband Mitch and I are moving in. Unfortunately, he’s out of town right now.”

“Oh, that is a shame. If you need anything my wife Belle and I are usually around. She’s out of town this weekend, but she’ll be back Monday.”

“That’s so very nice of you.” Georgina kept her eyes on the movers, “I hope your not in a hurry?”

“Actually, I’m not.” He confessed, the last thing he wanted to do was deal with his parents and sister. “So, no need to rush them if you don’t have to.”

“Okay, thank you, still it should only be about fifteen minutes more.”

Keaton nodded, “Thanks.” He was already moving back towards his house.

***

Mitch nuzzled Belles neck as she poured a cup of coffee. She turned the TV on, “Do you want sugar?”

“You know what I want” His hands slipped along her waist.

Belle giggled, “Mitch, I need to at least get some coffee first.”

“Fine.” He sighed as he pulled away and began to fix his own. “Oh, did you see this yesterday?”

Belle looked to see what he was referencing, “What?”

“That pop star just totally passed out on TV She was probably high as a kite.”

“Wait, no, that’s not why.” Belle put her coffee mug down, “I have to go Mitch I’m sorry.”

Mitch reached for her, “What, why?”

“That missing woman they found, that’s Keaton’s sister, and that pop star who fainted in front of that news report, is also his sister.”

Mitch dropped his hand, “Go. It was short, it was sweet, next time will be longer.”

Belle felt the knot in her stomach, “Yes, next year.”

Mitch watched as she left for the bedroom, next year would be far too long. Belle would just have to be surprised to find out he was her new neighbor.