- - ain't no rest for the wicked - - jack

[riley]

pitty you with
weapons in the form of words

Riley was in yet another one of her moods. The ones that had her wishing that she could get high again. But she was trying, truly trying, to keep from letting that part of her life dominate her like it had done in the past. She was trying to start a new, turn over a new leaf, all those other sayings that helped people feel good about the new life they were starting. But so far, she’d only gone about a month without a joint, something she’d done in the past. However, in the past she’d just gone right back to her drug dealer and gotten a new stash, instantly getting high when she got home. This time was different, however. She was trying to get straight and make good decisions, but it just wasn’t going to be easy. In order to get her mind off things, she’d decided to take her credit card and hit the stores along the infamous Rodeo Road.

Currently, she was in a little boutique that sold things mostly tailored to the more wealthy population of L.A. It was her kind of store. Private, spacious, only top of the line clothing and price tags that would give most people heart attacks. Of course, due to the successful films that had dominated her life for the past few years, she had the money to spend on such things. And now that she wasn’t spending great sums of it on her drugs each month, there was even more in her bank account. She browsed the racks of clothing slowly, picking out a few shirts here and there, and piling them into the basket that she’d picked up.

Readjusting the cap that hid her wild blonde hair, she crossed past the window to the other side of the store. In these parts of town, she was widely known and leaving the house without such a disguise would insure that the trip would take at least three more hours from attempting to push through the torrents of cameras and snoopy paparazzi. It had even gotten to the point in the last few months that she’d devised a way of leaving her luxurious home a back way in order to avoid detection. Yes, the price of fame was high, but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.

[Deleted]

just keep coming around

h e y w h a t a y a w a n t f r o m m e
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`complete `riley d. / steph `445 words `yeah, it’ll get better XD`outfit comin’ soon

People around here should probably be used to the fact that celebrities walked among them every day. Or maybe it was just Jack Bailey who did for the fun of it. It was usually for the curiosity of seeing exactly how many people could recognize him and actually say hi or dare to ask for pictures or autographs on their arms. Or their hands or lower backs. For now, however, it wasn’t just for the fun of it. He needed some fresh air. Being in New York, he never did get to go out much. He managed to hang with his best friend Tristan for a bit, but it wasn’t much really. He didn’t blame his accidental wife for any of it. Falling for her was his own fault, though maybe she had something to do with being all gorgeous and hard-to-get and agreeing to marry him and whatnot. He did mainly chose to sit in the penthouse himself and drink and watch TV.

Besides, it wouldn’t be too bad; maybe it could be a little fun too. He could buy something nice for Devon West or even his other lady friends. For the amusement, he should even buy something for Natalie Delaney. Man, he was just in a good mood. And when in a good mood, all he thought to do was use that credit card to the fullest. As for people recognizing him, he really didn’t need that today. Guy like him is usually bruised and covered in lipstick kisses within an hour once he exposes himself to the public. Then again, for all he knew, no one probably wanted to tackle or kiss him these days. She was married. It would still be shocking how many girls wanted him regardless, though. He walked into a random boutique and began to look around.

Jack eyes didn’t roam much before settling on the blonde nearby. At first he just kept on staring for the longest time before widening his eyes as soon as the shock came over him. He knew who she was, there was no way he could forget that face. He dated that face for months. He looked away after that shock, wondering if there was still time to just turn around and leave. Well…he didn’t want to turn around and leave, he wanted to say hi. Would that be a good idea? He didn’t know. He wouldn’t do that to every ex-girlfriend. Riley wasn’t really like his girlfriends, he actually got pretty serious with her. Don’t be shocked to know he was the one that screwed it up. ”Riley Dixon.” The next thing Jack knew, he was next behind her.

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[riley]

pitty you with
weapons in the form of words

Riley hated that she was so easily recognized around these parts of town. She just wanted to be able to go out and walk her dog without being stopped for an autograph or a picture. Of course, when someone did ask for such, she was always cheerful to them, hiding away her displeasure of having to withstand yet another gawk session. There was really no reason for her to get mad at these people, if anything she brought it upon herself. They were just ordinary people who found reason to admire her. She thought of it like she was adding spice to their day, knowing that they would return home to their familes and friends and gush about getting to be pictured next to her. That being said, she still found it terribly annoying to have to pause every ten minutes in order for the next curious person to snap a picture.

A soft sigh escaped her lips and she heard another person walk into the small store. She kept her back turned, hopping that the person would meander about the racks of clothing without noticing her. It wasn't like she was dressed in any particular fashion. Her hair was pulled back into a pony tail that stuck out the back of the red baseball hat she wore, her bangs were pushed to the side behind her ear and the sunglasses that she loved sat atop her head. Her tank top was a thin white material, just thick enough to hide the brightly colored bra beneath, minus the straps of course. Her shorts were short, accenting her long tanned legs that reached all the way to her flip flops that she'd thrown on upon leaving the house. Her only jewelry was the neckalce her mother had given her years ago, a few small rings placed about her fingers and her purse, which was plain and generic.

Riley pulled out a few articles of clothing that had caught her eye and placed them over her arm, the basket now being filled as much as it could handle. She heard the footsteps move closer to her and she sighed, figuring the person would recognize her eventually. She groaned inwardly and let out a slow and steady breath, trying to remind herself that it wasn't all about her. But right now, at this particular point, when she was dying for another joint, it wasn't easy to keep a positive attitude. And when she heard that oh so familiar voice speak her name, a chill went down her spine and she turned around. "Jack Bailey. What a surprise." Her mind sent her a few flash backs of the time they'd had together and how in love she'd been with him, although she hadn't told him as much. She shifted her clothes onto the counter and looked him over. He still had that rock hard body she remembered, at least from the looks of it.

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[Deleted]

just keep coming around

h e y w h a t a y a w a n t f r o m m e
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`complete `riley d. / steph `just enough words `yeah, it’ll get better XD`outfit comin’ soon

She didn’t look bad, nor did she look any different from the last time he saw her. Who was he kidding, she looked great. At least much better than he looked. If anyone, he was sure that Devon West probably remembered how he looked after Riley broke up with him. The only girl he was ever serious about broke up with him and he was a fuckin’ mess. OF course, he was never in love. He knew it was getting serious, though. Somehow, it didn’t scare him at all. He liked being serious with someone for once, it was just a really bad time. For once, he didn’t even cheat. It was one relationship that didn’t end because he cheated. It didn’t matter. Whatever the case, it was her that broke up with him because he was an ass. He had to agree with that part.

It was the time his mom had cancer. She is okay now, that’s always good to hear. But when she did, Jack was always worried about her, visiting her a lot. Soon enough, there came a point where he started blowing off dates with Riley just to sit around with his mother. Being the sweetheart she was, she did tolerate it at first, but there was always a limit for this kinda stuff and he apparently exceeded that limit. When she turned around and had him assured it was really her, he sighed in relief, but at the same time with frustration. The frustration was for the fact that his instant flashbacks weren’t for nothing. Those bad visions from the past were really coming back and he hated that. He was relieved because it would’ve been just awkward if it wasn’t her.

”Boy, I hope this is a pleasant surprise.” He didn’t smile just yet and just pursed his lips slightly. Looking into her eyes, he wondering what on earth she felt about him before they started to fade apart. ”Looks pleasant, indeed.” He chuckled, watching her look him over. With that, even jack scanned her from head to toe. Nothing had changed. She was still the gorgeous face he knew and almost loved. ”You look…great.” He really couldn’t find a better word. She didn’t find this awkward, it seemed while he was dying over here.

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[riley]

pitty you with
weapons in the form of words

Riley's relationship with Jack had been a good one for the most part. He was a kind soul back then, one who had always set out to please her. She couldn't help but fall in love with him back then, something she tended to do a little too freely then, and something that still hurts her now. Jack and she had always gotten along, for the most part at least. They didn't fight over the small things, rather simply let them slid to worry about for another day. It was always easy to talk to him, something in him just made her want to tell him everything and anything that came to her mind. But then things had started to take a turn for the worse. His mom ended up in the hospital with cancer. He would spend hours upon hours in her small room, just holding her hand. At first, Riley had found it endering that he would be so loyal to his mother. So when he started blowing off their dates to spend time with her, she hadn't minded at all. But as the dates that he'd missed started piling up to the point where even she stopped showing up to the restuarants they had planned on meeting at, it began to bother her. Still, she didn't say anything to him, not wanting to be selfish. After several months of this, she couldn't take it anymore. She broke up with him and moved, hoping to never see him again.

But here they stood, face to face, in the flesh. She'd thought many nights about what she'd say to him if this ever happened. She'd rehearsed it in the mirror. But now, when it was actually happening, her words seemed to escape her. Something inside started to boil up and the past emotions she'd had; the love, the hurt, the friendship, all started to come back in large wave after large wave. It took all she had not to break down in the middle of this small boutique. It wasn't her place to be with him anymore. Who knew what kind of woman he had waiting for him back at home.

It was true that he hadn't changed a bit. At least not in her eyes. Sure his face seemed a little older, the lines next to his eyes a little deeper, but it wasn't anything truly different in him. She nodded slightly and snapped out of her day dreams. "Yeah, I'd say it's pleasant." A smile finally appeared on her lips and she shifted her weight, setting the massive pile of clothes that had been in her hands on the counter next to her. His comment about her looks made her smile widden slightly and she glanced down before looking back up to him, her modesty always in tack no matter what. "Thanks, you look great as well. How's your mom doing?" It was a painful question but she felt like it was appropriet. She only hopped the woman was still living and the question wouldn't bring up awkward conversations.

[Deleted]

just keep coming around

h e y w h a t a y a w a n t f r o m m e
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`riley d. / steph `402 words `like zomg, delayed much?`outfit comin’ soon

Well, of course Jack had always been kind. He still was. Ish. You never can tell, though, but the way he treats girls these days would make you doubt the face that he’s actually a sweetheart deep….deep down. Then again, he’d slowed down with the jackass attitude. Getting married and actually starting to like his wife was having a really strange effect on him. He usually tried to ignore it, but when she was around, it was pretty hard. He wondered if it was that hard with Riley. Before Nina, Riley was one girl he got so far with. He could’ve sworn he was almost falling in love, but almost was never really enough with their case. It didn’t work out, Jack wasn’t so sure how to handle a possibly dying mother and a steady girlfriend at the same time. Riley noticed that before he did and left.

It was kinda nice, though, he had to admit, being with her with no problems. She whipped off the womanizer side of him within days, it was actually pretty fantastic, no one could ever do that. Then again, he always had his ways of fucking up a relationship in any way possible. In their case, he was just a downright asshole. He knew his mother could’ve died, but that had to be no reason to completely neglect her. Just like every other time, therefore, he was the one at fault while the beautiful sweet girl gets completely heartbroken. She at least handled it well, Jack still remembered that much. They both didn’t want to do this, but they had to. Even he could admit that Jack was losing it, but at some points, he felt like it was just too much to handle, what with being a high school teacher and the son of a possibly dying women.

Riley hadn’t changed much either, that smile on her face was still exactly the same. At least she said it was a pleasure to see him. That was unexpected. ”Don’t I always.” He chuckled, trying to think of a way to delay answering her question. It was the reason they ended their perfect relationship, he didn’t want to back there. ”She’s great, actually. Went into remission within a couple months after…well, you moved out.” That was really the best way he could’ve worded it. He supposed. Way to try and not bring up awkward conversations, Riles.

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[riley]

pitty you with
weapons in the form of words

Life after Jack Bailey had been pretty normal. Well, if you can consider a rise to stardom normal. But it was truly that. After the break up, she really didn't feel like letting any other guys close to her again, just finding it tedious at times to have a boyfriend. So instead, she focused on her carreer. She dove deeper into her modeling and threw herself into acting classes, taking as many as she could afford at one point. She worked herself to the edge and became a stressed, tired and irritable person that none of her agents could stand. At a party one night, a friend of her had managed to sneak some weed into the place and convinced her to try it. That was about a year ago and she's smoked ever since. It's not something she's proud of, but she does think she needs it.

Some of her friends had questioned if it was because of the break up with Jack that she'd started the downward spiral but she refused to believe that a guy could hold so much weight over her life. Being the feminist she was raised to be, it would be silly for her to let him affect her like that. But sitting in a run down hotel room with only the mice running through the walls as company, with broken needles of the previous inhabitants, she had to wonder if they were right. Whether it was the drugs speaking or something that she could only manage to quiet when she wasn't stoned, it still made her wonder.

To be frank, Riley was surprised that she hadn't turned into a huge emotional mess yet from his presence. Maybe it was the simple fact that really the only thing her mind could focus on right now was where her drug dealer might be. Either way, she was relativly calm about the situation. Riley nodded and smiled slightly. It was true. No matter what, Jack had always managed to look incredably handsome, no matter what he wore. It was the one weakness she had for him. Toward the end of the relationship, when they would fight, all it took was one look at him, standing by the door in his boxers only, for her stubborn will to come crashing down around her. His comment threw her slightly, she wasn't expecting him to refer to their break up. "Oh, well I'm glad she's better. Tell her I said hello for me, will you?" She took a deep breaht and shifted her weight onto her other, unusually thin leg. A side affect of the drugs, she tended to not be able to keep weight on her body. A helpful thing in the movie industry. "So, what brings you here? I can't imagine womens clothing is that...enticing to you." She teased him some, knowing he'd understand it was all in good nature.

[Deleted]

just keep coming around

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`riley d. / steph `376 words `asjdflksdf`outfit comin’ soon

He knew that on both sides, they were trying to make sure they didn’t run into a dead end in their really small-talk conversation. But it wasn’t working out as far as he could tell, especially when there that was that moment of silence between them and whatnot. Of course he didn’t know about the drugs, or else he wouldn’t really be talking to her right now and if he would be, the first thing would be about her safety and if she’s still smoking anything. She looked good, wasn’t that all that mattered? Yes. Because even though their relationship wasn’t exactly centered around their looks, everyone had to admit they were both a ridiculously good-looking pair.

Honestly enough, not even Jack expected to refer to their break-up so soon into the small talk. It seemed like it was really the first thing that came to mind when she asked how his mother was, because ultimately the condition of her mother was the one and only reason things had to end between him and Riley. ”No problem, I’m sure she’d love to hear from you.” Getting so many roles in movies, Jack’s parents decided it wasn’t smart to move around with their son wherever he went. He was really the family guy, so going around without his family there wasn’t comfortable, but he got used to it. Now they lived in Los Angeles as well, but he was still traveling from Hollywood to Morocco to…Vegas and New York and whatnot, occasionally.

He chuckled at her question and just reached over to lift the edge of one of the dresses he saw hanging from the hangers, looking back up at her. ”Oh, are you kidding? They’re instant turn-ons, Riley.” He rolled his eyes in a joking manner at her before letting go of the dress, ”Thought I’d look for something for Nina while I’m just hanging out, you know?” He explained, not sure why he was so comfortable with mentioning Nina in front of Riley, but can’t seem to talk about his old relationship with Riley. ”What about you, though?” He was back to the small talk. Returning the question was a little stupid, she was a girl what else would she want in this women’s boutique.

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[riley]

pitty you with
weapons in the form of words

Riley remembered their relationship as one where there was no such thing as an awkward silence. Only good conversation and comfortable quiet. It was something she'd only been able to have with Jack, a time when no one said anything, and it was perfectly fine. Neither of them had felt pressed to find something else to talk about, simply content to let the long silence commence, the only sound in the room was their breathing. Never once was it awkward or did she find the need to fill it. Since she'd broken up with Jack, though, she'd yet to find someone who this worked with. Either they both talked non-stop, which wasn't always a bad thing, but one ran out of things to say eventually. Or they never could find anything to say to one another, which always quickly ended the relationship. It was unforutnate and Riley had caught herself wishing many times that she'd given Jack just a few more chances. Maybe those few more chances would have meant the difference between her drug addict life now, or living one of sheer happieness and content.

But Riley had chosen to dump Jack, and while there was no doubt that she'd played the 'what if' game over and over, this was what she had chosen and this was what she was living. And, unfortunatly, what she had chosen, wasn't the greatest. The drugs came back to Rileys mind and she was as anxious as ever to find her dealer and get high. But a tiny part of her didn't want to stop talking to Jack. So she stayed, for now at least, and listened to what he was saying. Riley laughed at Jack's comment and shook her head some. [b"Oh, yes. That is deffinitly your color. I will buy that for you if you promise to wear it and send me pictures."

[/b] Riley giggled some and cocked her head slightly when she heard him speak of a woman of whom she'd never heard of. "Who's Nina?" She asked with only slight curriousity. She didn't want to seem like she was butting into his business or anything.

"Oh, nothing really. Just out getting some new things. Trying to keep my mind off some things." She stopped herself before she told him about her drugs. That was the last thing she wanted Jack to know about her. It would be one thing for him to know that she still thought about him on occasion, but a completely different for him to know that she'd gone down hill after their break up. As much as a successful actress and model can go down hill that is. All the same, her drugs were her private thing. The few times she'd let slip that she was into them, was when she was high from them. Only then, with her self control limited and her mental filter non-exsistant, could you find out anything and everything you wanted to know about Riley. When she was high, she was pretty much an open book. The problem was, she hardly remembered what was said once she came down from the drug.[/blockquote][/size]

[Deleted]

just keep coming around

h e y w h a t a y a w a n t f r o m m e
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`riley d. / steph `--- words `asjdflksdf`outfit here

aww she's cute. aaannnnd i'm workin' on it. xD

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