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962 posts
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Post by Nu on Feb 14, 2018 3:57:50 GMT
197 Words
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we jumped
never asking why
Being back in Oregon felt so weird. He'd spent half his childhood here and then his entire adulthood in Montana. It was like coming home but at the same time, not. Things had definitely changed around here as he walked along the main street, wanting to get away from the boxes still piled high in his apartment.
He was looking down at his phone, specifically at his ex-girlfriend's number, wondering if he should call her to tell her he was back. The last time he saw her, it had been bittersweet. They'd spent the night together but he was gone the day after.
He wanted to keep in touch with Bailey but something kept him back. Whether it was his own insecurities or it was just so that she could move on with her life, he didn't know. Suddenly, ten years had passed and he was now back.
So engrossed was he at staring at the number that he hadn't seen where he was going and he bumped into someone, causing his phone to clatter to the floor. "Ah, sorry!" Gabriel bent down to scoop his phone before checking on the person he had bumped into.
"Bailey..."
all i wanted was to break your walls
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Trix on Feb 14, 2018 4:27:43 GMT
314 Words
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Same Drugs
where did you go to end up right back here?
Oregon was just, Oregon. It was the only home in the States that Bailey had ever known outside of England and it was the closest thing to where she'd grown up. She couldn't have imagined going anywhere else because it was where she was just meant to be. Of course, it made things difficult when the one love she'd ever had in her life got up and left her there, but Bailey was not a grudge-holder and she was not an angry person. She wanted what was best for him in that moment and could only hope, in her little hopeless romantic mind, that he'd come back.
After ten years, it was safe to say that she didn't think he ever would.
Bailey had been nose deep in her phone, texting her best friend about plans for the weekend after the twelve hour shift she was meant to work Saturday night. It was hard to have a best friend with a perfect boyfriend, but she at least didn't feel left out by them. Blind dates and awkward set-ups were not her thing and being single just felt comfortable with her profession. With her face buried in plans, it was safe to say she didn't really pay much attention while she was walking.
When she was bumped into, she couldn't even be angry, she just squeaked and covered her mouth, "Oh god, oh fuck, I'm so sorry. Are y-" Her apologetic rambling was cut short when the figure stood up to his full height and looked at her. "Gabriel?" The moment the words were out of her mouth she shook her head and turned away, noping over and over again as she started walking away.
when did you start to forget how to fly?
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962 posts
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0 likes
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Feb 14, 2018 5:02:58 GMT
71 Words
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we jumped
never asking why
When she turned around, Gabriel stood there frozen for a bit before shaking his head and walking after her. "Bailey, seriously." He called out as he finally reached her.
A hand curled over one shoulder as he tried to stop her from walking away even further. "Bailey, why are you running away?" He asked, even though by the time he asked the question, he somehow already knew what the answer was.
all i wanted was to break your walls
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Trix on Feb 14, 2018 5:16:19 GMT
203 Words
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Same Drugs
where did you go to end up right back here?
She heard his voice behind her and just kept shaking her head and repeating the word. She couldn't believe it and she didn't. Not even with the sound of his voice and the big brown eyes that she'd looked into. There was no way that he was in Oregon and there was no way she was going to stop just because she was hallucinating.
Bailey groaned, she really needed to get more sleep, or something.
A hand pressed down on her shoulder and she stopped. It was the first time she'd actually felt something from some silly dream figure. Of course, that only made her freak out because if it wasn't a dream and he was really there, she was going to puke. Bailey took a deep breath and slowly turned on her heel, very aware of how not-put together she looked and how crazy she'd just acted. Off to a great start, obviously. "Are you really asking me that? I think the better question would be what are you doing here, Gabriel?"
when did you start to forget how to fly?
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962 posts
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Post by Nu on Feb 14, 2018 5:31:56 GMT
184 Words
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we jumped
never asking why
She finally stopped and Gabriel was struck by how beautiful she was. She had always been so damn cute when they were together but now...she looked so grown up. And despite what she thought, she did look put together to him.
Her response was expected and Gabriel couldn't help but give out a sharp bark of laughter at how unexpectedly expected it was. "I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at you I just...didn't expect..." he scratched his forehead nervously before answering her question. "I'm sorry I...wanted to call you before but I was sort of swept up in the moment that I didn't have time to do much but move back here. I got a job at BA. Head of Recruitment." He tried to give her a big smile.
He pondered over whether he should tell her how he had been thinking about calling her mere seconds before they bumped into each other but from the way she had reacted to seeing him, he thought that would just scare her off even more.
"It's...good to see you Bailey. I've missed you."
all i wanted was to break your walls
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Feb 14, 2018 5:45:39 GMT
275 Words
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Same Drugs
where did you go to end up right back here?
Bailey kept her eyes down at her feet. Looking at him would make it harder. He'd always been gorgeous, ridiculously and annoyingly gorgeous. Aging, she was certain, probably only made that more apparent. Meanwhile, she felt like she'd always just been sort of dorky looking. Her teeth were too big for her face when she smiled and her mouth stretched so far she looked like Ms. PacMan or a piranha. Their relationship had been built on a lie, him pretending that she wasn't some grotesque monster-looking thing.
However, when he answered and said that he was moving back, her eyes shot up, "Wait, wait, wait, what? You're moving...back...here...to Oregon?" The way he was flashing his pearly whites at her, she thought she might melt into a puddle at his feet. How unfair of him. Standing there, looking all pretty, like he just stepped off of a runway or something. She wanted to maul him with affection, but she also wanted to maim him. What was he thinking coming back out of the blue and not giving her fair warning?
When he started with the 'I miss you' bit, she held a hand up, "No. No. No. No no no no. None of that. We're not doing that. For Christ's sake, Gabe, it's been a decade!" Bailey pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. She'd thought about this for years and still didn't have a clue of what to say to him.
when did you start to forget how to fly?
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962 posts
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0 likes
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Feb 14, 2018 6:17:02 GMT
142 Words
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we jumped
never asking why
Gabriel nodded his response to Bailey's stuttered reply, increasingly worried that this meeting was not going to end well. He knew he left her and they stopped keeping in contact, something which Will had pointed out was the stupidest thing he had ever done.
His smile dropped when Bailey asked him to stop. He pursed his lips and looked down at his feet, pocketing his hands. He understood where Bailey was coming from but it didn't hurt any less.
He looked back up at her and nodded. "You're right. I'm...I'm sorry. I just..." he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'll stay out of your way. It's...a really big city, I can just," he paused and cleared his throat of the blockage caused by the sudden emotions he was being overwhelmed with. "Yeah, I'm sorry." He nodded.
all i wanted was to break your walls
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Trix on Feb 14, 2018 6:26:52 GMT
278 Words
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Same Drugs
where did you go to end up right back here?
When she looked up at him and he apologized, she could have pinpointed exactly what he was going to do word for word and action for action. They'd been together for six years and she'd learned all that she needed to then in order to know that he was predictable with these things. He was going to pull the puppy dog face, apologize, offer to never speak to her again and what was she to do? Accept that? Oh no. No way.
"Are you fucking mental?" Bailey took a deep breath and let it out slowly, folding her hands in front of her as she attempted to find the words to put it in a way he would understand. "You mean to tell me that after running into me, chasing after me, telling me you miss me after ten years of not a word, you're just giving up again?" Maybe it was the lack of sleep, or her general shock of the whole thing, but she couldn't just let him bail on her again. Not without some sort of closure at least.
It wasn't as though she wasn't happy to see him. It wasn't like her heart didn't blow up in her chest like some silly balloon. But she was in no position to be falling all over him either. So he was moving back and had a new position, did that really mean he was staying? How was she supposed to get her hopes up for that?
when did you start to forget how to fly?
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962 posts
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0 likes
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Feb 14, 2018 6:38:03 GMT
118 Words
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we jumped
never asking why
He stepped away from Bailey when she responded, knowing not to be too close to her if she decided to lash out. And as she gave him the tongue-lashing he expected and sort of deserved, Gabriel stood his ground and let her speak.
Once she was done, he shook his head and looked her square in the eye.
"I'm not giving up, Bailey. I didn't give up ten years ago and I'm not doing it now. Am I supposed to grovel at your feet though? Is that what you want?" He asked with a small frown. "I'm sorry, Bailey. I realise this must be difficult for you because it is for me too but...I do miss you."
all i wanted was to break your walls
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Feb 14, 2018 16:17:06 GMT
238 Words
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Same Drugs
where did you go to end up right back here?
She held a finger up and shook her head, "Oh no you don't. You didn't once ask me how I was doing, what I was doing, or anything after you left. Tell me how that isn't giving up." Bailey took a breath and ran her fingers through her already messy hair still shaking her head. "I don't want groveling. I...I don't know what I want, Gabriel. I never thought I was going to see you again and without warning, you're just here."
It was a lot easier being mad at him for leaving when he was gone. It didn't matter that she understood, it didn't matter that she wanted what was best for him, she could just be angry. And now that he was back, standing in front of her, her anger was deflating at a rapid pace with every word that passed between them. She found it unfair that he knew her well enough that he could disarm her without trying.
Bailey wrapped her arms around herself and chewed on her lip before she looked back up at him, "Why didn't you tell me before you got here? A little head's up, Gabe, that's all I needed. Because I had no time to prepare for this."
when did you start to forget how to fly?
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962 posts
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Feb 14, 2018 18:20:54 GMT
368 Words
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we jumped
never asking why
Her reasonings were all accurate, he understood that. Adult Gabriel appreciated the fact that he could recognise that to be his fault. Young adult Gabriel thought he was doing Bailey a favour. What was the point of prolonging what seemed to be inevitable?
Had they remained in a long distance relationship, someone would begin to resent the other for keeping them from seeing new people, doing new things. Yes, Gabriel ended up not meeting someone new and he buried himself in work and assignments but still, he didn't want Bailey to do the same. She deserved more.
Seeing her now, he wondered whether he should have accepted the job at all. He had been so consumed and excited at the prospect of heading an entire department that he didn't even think about how this would affect Bailey. It had always been his weakness, leaping into things without thinking of the consequences.
"Bailey...I didn't..." he paused, biting his bottom lip as he tried to phrase his sentence correctly. He took a deep breath and let it go slowly. He couldn't just lay out his timeline without sounding like a douche who was making excuses. He was a douche, end of discussion.
Facts - exactly seven days ago from today, he got a call and then an official letter telling him that he had been selected to be the head of recruitment for BA. Fact - the second he found out he got the job, he started packing his entire adulthood into suitcases and boxes. Fact - he didn't even tell Will until three days before he moved.
Fact - he was scared Bailey would tell him to fuck off.
At the end of the day, he knew he had his priorities screwed. He was the one who didn't reach out to Bailey. As it were, however, he could argue until the roosters came home to roost that he didn't plan it, but he could have told Bailey about coming back.
"I know. I didn't make it my priority and I know it's my fault." He gave her a small apologetic grin that didn't quite reach it's full potential. It proved difficult to smile properly while admitting to a fault entirely his own.
all i wanted was to break your walls
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Feb 14, 2018 19:34:33 GMT
210 Words
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Same Drugs
where did you go to end up right back here?
And again, his little grin made her melt like a popsicle. She could accept that he wasn't completely at fault. He had a lot of reasons for doing what he had and none of them had anything to do with her. It was the same way she'd stayed behind to go to medical school and get a nursing degree rather than follow after him. Of course she'd thought about it, even if he didn't seem quite as keen on the idea. They were just both trying to look out for each other.
With a groan she put her face in her hands and sighed dramatically, "It's so unfair." She peaked through her fingers at him and dropped her hands, "You're always so good at that. Being all calm and charming with your big, stupid face and your pretty, white smile." How awful it was to have to look at him.
Bailey pursed her lips for a moment before she shrugged and threw her arms around his waist, squeezing him for dear life, "I hate you because I missed you, too."
when did you start to forget how to fly?
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962 posts
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0 likes
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Feb 14, 2018 20:19:24 GMT
129 Words
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we jumped
never asking why
Gabriel pursed his lips when Bailey covered her face with her hands and started mumbling. It had been one of the things that made him fall for her so many years ago. She could be ridiculously cute and adorable while at the same time be so playful. And right now, he just thought she looked good. Really, really good.
He laughed quietly and before he knew it, she was wrapped around him and squeezing him. "Jesus." He wheezed before his arms circled around her, one hand gripping her waist while the other buried in her hair.
He moved his face down to press his lips on the top of her head. Now this, this was right.
"I know, I hate me too. I'm sorry, Dizzy. I'm really, really sorry."
all i wanted was to break your walls
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944 posts
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Feb 14, 2018 20:40:46 GMT
242 Words
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Same Drugs
where did you go to end up right back here?
His hand slid into her hair and the other held her by the waist. It was sort of funny to her how familiar it all was. She hadn't grown much since he left and he still towered over her by a full head. They'd always fit really well together, her ear could press against his chest right were his heart was and she did that now. Her eyes closed as she focused on the way it was beating and she took comfort in how steady it was even as quick as it was beating.
Bailey felt her own heart squeeze when she felt his lips against her hair and she melted when he used the nickname he'd always had for her. She had to laugh, she always thought he meant to call her Ditzy, but either way was relatively accurate. He made her fall flat on her face more often than not. Her fingers curled around his shirt and she took a deep breath. She had forgiven him the moment he bumped into her, but she couldn't let him know that.
She lifted her head and rested her chin on his chest to look up at him, "I'm glad you're back, but next time you decide to leave, you're taking me, too."
when did you start to forget how to fly?
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962 posts
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0 likes
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Authored by
Nu
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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Advanced Member
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Post by Nu on Feb 14, 2018 20:59:25 GMT
104 Words
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we jumped
never asking why
He looked down at her, adoration clear in his smile before he pursed his lips and nodded. "I'm not going anywhere. I promise." He responded before pecking her nose and pulling her even closer to him, sighing at how much he'd missed this.
"So where were you headed?" He asked. Now that the tension had been diffused, Gabriel felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders and things could just slip back to normal. That was what he thought anyway. Reality was going to sink in sooner or later but for now, everything was the way it should be.
all i wanted was to break your walls
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