"Addie," Callie called down the hallway. The morning sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a soft orange glow over the bare walls of the apartment. There were boxes down the hallway, most messily labeled by Isabella, while others were open, due to Addison's procrastination.
"Yeah?" Addison poked her head out of the door. Callie smiled, her eyes widened a little as she gestured to the boxes. "Are you done packing yet?" The brunette smiled sheepishly, nodding slowly. "Uh, yeah I finished.. Last night?"
"Okay then," She responded in a sarcastic tone, "Make sure you're done by like..5, alright?" Addison nodded, returning to her room. The brunette looked around, and suddenly it hit her. She was leaving Seattle, where she had gotten married, cheated on, rediscovered herself, made friends, lost friends, adopted kids, and lived for the past 9 years.
Arizona clapped her hands together, beaming. She held a large box in her hands, filled with clothes, scrubs, and a few personal effects. "Are you almost ready?" She said in a sing-songy voice, moving around the living room with purpose.
The brunette moved a little more slowly, plastering a forced smile on her face. "Yeah." Arizona furrowed her brows, frowning. "Callie, we've been over this, it's a fresh start!" She put her box down, letting out a subtle scoff. "Yeah, in Africa."
Arizona raised her hands, her annoyance palpable. "Think of all the opportunities we'll have." The brunette crossed her arms over her chest, "You will." She rolled her eyes in response, going back to the kitchen.
"C'mon, get started." Isabella threw a book at Addison, who threw it right back. She had been appointed as a supervisor to watch her sister pack, which seemed like it would never happen. The young girl's arms were full with random things, which Isabella said she wouldn't need, but did Addison ever listen? No.
They gathered the boxes carefully, stacking them one on top of another. "Last box," Isabella nodded, surveying the now-empty shelves and neatly arranged boxes.
As they pulled tape over the opening, Addison grabbed a large black Sharpie and labeled it, "Addie and Bell's Rooms: Memuries" Isabella laughed, taking the Sharpie, "You spelled it wrong idiot." The brunette rolled her eyes, "I'm.. dyslexic?"
"Are we gonna live in the jungle?" Addison questioned, looking up at Isabella. She shook her head, "I don't think so?" The brunette nodded back in response, widening her eyes.
"Already got one leg, can't have a lion eat the other." Addison shrugged, picking up a box and left. Isabell laughed softly as she looked around the empty room, both excited and nervous to leave Seattle.
↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ-
The departure gate buzzed with flights going everywhere. Amidst the blizzard of travelers stood the four of them. The air crackled with an electric tension, a sign of something about to unfold.
"Callie, we talked about this. We have to go," Arizona's voice strained with frustration as she looked at her girlfriend.
The brunette's voice was unintentionally firm. "We can't just freeze everyone else's lives for your career. It's three years."
Their argument echoed through the terminal, earning uneasy looks from fellow travelers.
Addison and Isabella stood beside the women, silently watching the unraveling of their new family. Addison's eyes met her sister's, as she shuffled uncomfortably, unsure of what was going to happen.
"I don't want to leave anyway," Addison murmured in Isabella's ear.
The atmosphere grew heavier, the tension growing as their departure time became closer. Arizona, torn between her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and her girlfriend, tried to reason with Callie. "Calliope, think about the opportunities this gives you too. It's not just for me."
Her attitude was unchanging. "I can't watch this all fall apart because of your career. If this was me, I would've turned it down."
Arizona sighed. "Okay, then. I won't sacrifice my dreams. I'll Skype you two." She looked at both girls, who just nodded.
The brunette stood stunned by her girlfriend's words. "Well, we're screaming in an airport. Looks like we're already over. "I guess they're coming with me?" Callie spoke softly, her voice steady besides the emotional rollercoaster. With that, she, Addison, and Isabella walked away, leaving Arizona standing alone in the crowded terminal, her shattered life chipping away more and more with each step they took.
The bitter silence hung in the air, before she turned to the opposite direction and rolled her suitcase along, ready for her fresh start, in a whole new continent.
"What the hell?" Isabella whispered in her sister's ear, earning a shrug from Addison.
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Isabella stood in front of the floor-length mirror in her bedroom, the anxiety of a new school written all over her pale face. She tugged at her pleated skirt about a hundred times as Callie and Mark impatiently waited outside, occasionally calling on her.
Callie had hemmed her uniform, which was practically a pilgrim outfit before, now coming just above her knobby knees covered by itchy green socks.
She still felt incredibly anxious, and felt like an ant swimming in the oversized blazer she had bought, as Callie said 'no point in getting a new one every time you grow.' But at the moment, she both looked and felt completely miniscule.
"Come on Bella! Let's see!" Mark called from outside, his subtly excited voice ringing through the small bedroom. Suddenly, her heart felt like it was beating a billion times per minute as she twisted the knob with a deep breath.
Pretty soon, her and Addison posed for another million photos, the adults gushing words of adoration for the young girls in their "adorable" uniforms. Addison definitely liked the attention, posing for the camera with a beaming smile, while Isabella just stood plainly, a fake grin tugging at her lips.
↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ-
It had been two weeks since Arizona left, and the little family was getting their own fresh start. The sun rose over the pristine campus of Trinity Catholic, casting a pale orange hue over the towering oaks and ivy-covered brick walls. Amidst the excitement of a new school year, two nervous figures approached the iron gates, their hearts silently fluttering with anxiety.
Addison and Isabella, clad in freshly pressed uniforms (courtesy of Mark), adorned with the school emblem, stood side by side as Callie took what felt like a million photos of them. Their backpacks were meticulously organized, filled with new textbooks and neat supplies.
"Wow, Bell, do you see this place?" Addison whispered, her eyes wide with amazement as she scanned the grand brick buildings and near rose gardens.
Isabella nodded, her gaze switching between the towering structures, as well as the students bustling about in their uniforms. "It's.. wow. And everyone is wearing the same thing."
They straightened their ties glumly, and smoothed their plaid skirts and blazers, trying to assimilate with their fellow pupils.
As they ventured down the endless corridors to the heart of campus, they felt the stares and whispers that followed them. The siblings exchanged nervous glances, obvious newcomers in a foreign land.
The bell chimed, signaling the start of a school day. They quickly found their way around the labyrinth that was Trinity Prep's A Building. Isabella found her respective classroom, and took her seat at a polished wooden desk.
She was greeted with the curious gaze of new lees, some warm and welcoming, others cautiously surveying new competition.
As the day unfolded, they were able to get down with the rhythm of the new school- from the morning prayers to the large cafeteria that hosted the communal lunchtimes.
Her first class was homeroom, and as she entered the room, the teacher Mrs. Bennett gave her a look of disapproval. "Can that skirt grow a few inches?" She sighed, and Isabella froze in her tracks. The teacher waved her off, and she found a seat near the window, stealing glances at a boy sat across from her, who settled back nervously.
The lessons began, and soon, her anxiety faded away as the day unfolded. They did more activities than work, and she met a few interesting people.
The cute boy from Math, who she found was named Matteo, sat next to her in most classes, making school just a little more bearable with a cute face to look at. "Hi, what's your name?" He smiled at her, breaking her out of a daydream about her and the boy's future wedding. "Oh, Isabella. I'm new here, nice to meet you." She smiled back, he nodded before turning to the front.
During the lunch break, Isabella found a spot with a few girls from class. She sat nervously as they all talked around her, and she mostly just nodded in response.
The day progressed with a blend of classes and mostly uneasy social interactions. She attended Art, Science, and History, each new compared to her old school, which didn't offer so much as competent teachers.
As the final bell rang, Isabella sighed and practically sprinted out of school, the afternoon sun casting shadows on the cobblestone paths. The sisters exchanged a glance, then a laugh.
"Tomorrow will be great," Addison declared, a hopeful shine in her eye.
Isabella nodded quietly, her heart less anxious than it had been a few hours earlier. "Definitely, we'll get the hang of it."
They walked side by side to Callie's car, where she was waiting with "Cheer Up Donuts", their uniforms gently blowing in the breeze.
↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ-
The front door to their freshly redecorated apartment swung open, and the three of them walked inside.
"How was your first day?" Callie asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"Really good!" Addison exclaimed, her happiness contagious like usual.
"It was okay, I like it." Isabella added, her usual chill tone unwavering.
Seated around the kitchen table, they shared stories of the day, excitedly recounting every detail. Callie listened attentively, her heart warmed by their happiness.
Mark walked in the apartment, fist bumping a giggling Addison. "Hey champ, how was your first day?" He asked, a warm smile spreading across the corners of his lips.
Addison eagerly recounted her whole day from top to bottom. Isabella occasionally chimed in with her own stories.
A small glint of pride was shining in his eyes as he observed the girl's enthusiasm. He offered a couple words from the Book of Sloan, which Callie advised them to take with a grain of salt.
↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ-
TW: MENTAL HEALTH, SH
Since she had moved to Seattle, Isabella's days had blurred into a haze, each sunrise reluctantly welcomed with a heavy heart and an even heavier mind, clouded by the darkness that somehow found its way in, even when the door was locked. It was as if a thick fog settled in, obscuring reality and covering her thoughts in a terrifying vail.
She was more anxious than ever, and missed home, her parents, and her siblings. She disliked Seattle, no matter how hard she tried. While Mark and Callie were okay, they weren't her parents; they could never be.
She walked into her bathroom, getting ready for the day. The razor's glint caught the fluorescent light, its edge promising a clean sweep against her skin.
She held it delicately, her knuckles cracking around it. With a swift movement and a loud exhale, she brought it closer, tracing its path among the familiar curves of her flesh, each movement muscle memory.
A thin crimson line appeared, painting her skin with recklessness. Shock seized her before the pain registered, the initial sting fading to a warm sensation slowly spreading. Time seemed suspended, as if the whole world had stopped at that moment.
Yet, in the hushed moment, a sudden knock at the door startled her. "Isabella? You almost ready?" Her eyes widened, jolting her back to reality. Callie opened the door, breaking the early morning silence.
Callie looked down in shock, mirroring Isabella's own huge eyes, as she took in the scene that stood before her. Without a word, she reached out, gently prying the razor from her white knuckles.
Isabella's tears began to flow, mostly shame. Callie hugged her, putting the blade back onto the counter. After a while, her tears dried and she tensed up again, so Callie left. The brunette was worried, though Isabella refused to even look at anyone for the rest of the day.
↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ-
Isabella huddled in the hard chair, all stiff and uncomfortable, trying to ignore the faint buzzing of the fluorescent lights above. Her therapist, a larger tan-skinned woman sat across from her, scribbling something on her notepad, probably writing she was another messed-up case she needs to fix. Whatever.
"Hey, how's your week been?" Her voice is calm, soft, but it's like every word she says carries too much weight.
She shrugged, not really wanting to open up to some random woman, or talk about anything with anyone. "Same old, you know."
Dr. Alvarez leans forward, and Isabella can feel her gaze on her. "Did anything in particular stand out?"
She fidgets with the stacks of bracelets she wore, desperately trying to cover up the bandaids enveloping her forearms. "Not really."
"Alright." She scribbles something else down. "Earlier today, you mentioned feeling overwhelmed. Anything you want to talk about?"
Isabella chewed on her lip, her eyes darting around the room looking at all the regular weird doctor's office paintings, like she can find the right words hiding in the corners. "It's just... hard sometimes, you know? I just can't be like my sister and act like these people are my family, they aren't. I hate it here."
She nods, patient as ever. "It's okay to feel that way. Anything specific that's been bothering you?"
And there it is, the question that digs into the places Isabella really doesn't want to go. She glanced at the bandages on her arms, the ones she tried to hide under bracelets and long sleeves. "I don't know how to deal with it."
She shifts in her seat, leaning forward a bit more. "Is that why you've been hurting yourself?"
Isabella suddenly felt this lump in her throat, like swallowing back all these words she can't bring herself to say. "Yeah, I guess."
They sat in this weird, uncomfortable silence, and she could feel the doctor waiting for her to say something else, the brunette's eyes burning a painful hole into her chest. But she honestly couldn't explain it, how to put into words this mess inside her head that's been screaming louder than anything else in the world lately.
"You're not alone in this, you know." Her voice is gentle, but it feels like she's saying something Isabella has heard a million times before.
Isabella scoffs. "Right, like anyone gets it. The only real family I have right now is my sister, and the doctors who treat me like a psych patient or a community service project."
She leans back a bit, her eyes steady. "You're not just another patient. Family can mean a lot of different things."
Isabella traced the edge of the chair with her finger, avoiding the doctor's gaze. "It's easier said than done."
"It's okay not to feel okay, you know. But it's important to find healthier ways to cope." She reached for the box of tissues on the table, sliding it closer to her.
Isabella takes one, more to have something to do than because she needs it. "Whatever."
Dr. Alvarez leaned forward again. "I care. And I'm here to help you figure out better ways to deal with all of this."
She looks down at her lap, feeling this mix of frustration and something else she can't put her finger on. "I don't even know where to start."
The doctor smiles, this small thing that somehow feels genuine. "We can start wherever you're comfortable. Baby steps."
And so, for the next hour, they talked. Isabella didn't talk about everything, but she did talk about just enough.
"It's okay, you're doing great."
"Good."
↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ-
It was an average early autumn Saturday, the gentle sunlight casting a comforting warmth across the apartment. Addison and Isabella were comfortably sitting on the couch, absorbed in their own worlds, when a loud rapping at the door disrupted the peace. Callie and Mark exchanged a glance, the unannounced visitor a mystery. "My bet is.. apologetic Arizona?" Isabella snickered as she spoke to her sister.
As the door creaked open, a woman stood there, her presence both commanding and confusing. It took Isabella a moment to register the familiar face, but she practically sprinted towards her, tackling her in a hug. "Hi sugar," it was her mother. "Mom!" She beamed, holding her tight as Addison ran up, Keisha lifting her off the ground. While she wasn't Isabella's biological mother, she had been around for the longest time.
Isabella's heart raced as a whirlwind of emotions surged like a hurricane inside her. As she put her hands on her mom's shoulders, confusion mixed with curiosity, excitement mixed with resentment. How could she show up, unannounced and unexpected? She hesitated, torn between her mom, or Callie and Mark, whom she had grown slightly fonder of.
"Well, aren't you going to invite me in?" The petite, darker-skinned woman raised an eyebrow, her tone slicing through the air of tension, more a statement than a question.
"Sure, come in," Callie managed to say, her voice slightly strained.
"Nice place you two ended up," She remarked, scanning the apartment with a judgmental eye. "I've missed out on a lot, huh?" She gestured to Addison's prosthetic, and laughed coldly.
Mark, attempting to diffuse the atmosphere, cautiously questioned, "How have you been?"
Keisha's response was short, "Life is good, kinda like this nice ass place y'all live in now." She shot a sad smile at Isabella, who leaned her head on her shoulder.
Callie, sensing the tension, tried to shift the focus. "Would you like coffee?"
She dismissed the other woman's offer with a wave of her hand. "I want answers, not coffee."
Of course, an argument ensued. One small comment from Keisha led to a war that neither child knew which side to fight on.
"I am their mother! I have rights," she shot back, her words cutting through the air like a knife.
"You gave up those rights when you signed documents saying you were no longer a parent." Callie said quietly, her tone laced with judgment. Keisha glared at her, muttering some insult under her breath.
Throughout the surprisingly calmer remainder of the visit, both sisters felt trapped in the crossfire of small talk masking hate.
After a while of passive-aggressive arguing, Keisha angrily stood up. "I have nothing left to say," She stated, her voice soaked in frustration. "No, please mom." Isabella pleaded, watching her get up.
Without another word, she stormed out, slamming the door, leaving behind a vast amount of unresolved issues and emotions. The room echoed as Addison's small face contorted to one of sadness, before she broke down into tears and clung onto Isabella, who sat staring at the wall while stroking her hair, reminding her of times years ago.
↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ-
flashback:
tw- violence, addiction, abuse
August 29, 2008
The dimly lit motel room smelled of stale Marlboro 100s and cheap liquor. Muffled shouts and crashing sounds echoed through the thin walls. In a corner, Addison huddled against her older sister, clinging onto her tightly.
Keisha stumbled around the motel room, her eyes vacant and dark. With trembling hands, she reached for the bottle on the table, her movements uncontrolled. The siblings watched in silent fear, their hearts pounding in unison with every shaky step she took.
"Shh, remember what I said Addie? We have to be quiet." The older sister whispered, her voice strained. She wrapped her arms around her silent sister, trying to shield her from reality.
Addison's eyes were wide with fear, her body tense in Isabella's arms.
Their father's angry voice sliced through the air, yelling vile insults to anyone in his path. Harsh words turned to heated arguments, and they pressed closer together.
Outside, the sun was setting, casting a luminous orange hue through the room. The colors painted a stark contrast to the darkness that enveloped their lives in that motel room.
A crash shook the room, followed by a yell from their mother. They both flinched, hearing another fight begin. Isabella felt trapped by the despair that hung in the air.
Through tear-filled eyes, the young girl looked up at her sister for reassurance. Forcing a smile, she just nodded back down at her.
"What do I always say, Addison?" The young girl stuttered as Isabella awaited her response. "That we will leave?" She nodded and plastered another fake smile across her face. "Right, we will do just that."
"You two, over here," Their older sister Nevaeh quietly called across the room, to where the rest of their 'siblings' were sitting.
She was snapped back to reality by Callie, "Bella?" Her eyes snapped towards her, pulling away. "Stop, this is all your fault." Isabella hissed, storming away to her room.
Mark frowned, him and Callie sharing a look. "It is." The brunette sighed, looking back at Addison, who had curled herself into a tiny ball on the other end of the couch.
A/N: I wanted to focus on some more mental health + their fresh start in this chapter! i hate keisha but she'll definitely be back soon lol.