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══════⊹⊱❖⊰⊹══════ XI ... then and now ══════⊹⊱❖⊰⊹══════
FLASHBACK — NEW YORK CITY, 1986
the sun was beginning to set on new york city. it was late afternoon on a wednesday night and it was a tiring day for the couple. between bella's exams and johnny's work schedule, they were both exhausted.
bella sighed as she flipped the pages of her textbook with her head on johnny's lap while he grabbed the remote, switching the channel to mtv, which was playing 'dial mtv'. bella placed her book down on her lap as she let out a frustrated sigh, placing her hands on her temple.
"this is it." bella sighed, closing her eyes. "this is what's gonna kill me."
"what? i thought you liked ratt." johnny said as he lowered the volume of the television.
"i'm not talking about the music, i'm talking about this." bella said, as she closed her book then closed her eyes for a brief second. "this exam is driving me insane."
"ah you'll be fine." johnny smiled, looking down at the brunette and playing with her smooth hair. "besides, isn't that test in 2 weeks?"
"so?" bella sighed. "doesn't hurt to study."
"yeah i know, you've been buried in that book the whole week." johnny chuckled as he stood up and headed to the kitchen. "look, it's been a long week for both of us, so why don't we just relax and take the load off?"
"i guess you're right. bring me a beer please." bella sighed as she ran a hand through her hair and sat up on the couch. johnny came back from the kitchen with two beers and a small bag. "is that what i think it is?"
"depends." johnny smirked as he opened up the bag. bella took a drink of her beer and looked in the bag only to find contraband. "you said you wanted to relax."
"and your idea of relaxation is getting laced up?" bella laughed.
"oh c'mon, like you've never smoked before." johnny laughed as he rolled up a couple of joints and handed one to bella.
"agh who cares, i could use one anyway." bella sighed as she chugged her beer down. "let's go to the roof."
it was now 8:45. the couple had been up in the roof having a couple of drinks and smoking some joints for a while now, trying to take their mind off of the tiresome week.
"if anyone told me i would be smoking a joint on the roof of an apartment building in new york, i wouldn't believe it." bella giggled as she took a hit of the joint before passing it back to johnny.
"is this everything you've expected?" johnny said as he intertwined his hand with bella's. "like coming to new york?"
"hm, i think i should be asking you that." bella smirked as she pressed her lips on her beer bottle.
"i asked you first, you're the future fashion designer here." johnny chuckled, taking a hit of the joint. "but i mean, it's a different view, i'm earning my own money instead of sid's so-called allowances; which feels good, and i get to be with my gorgeous girlfriend."
"kiss ass." bella laughed as she took the joint and pressed it up against her lips.
"okay, now answer the question." johnny said, pressing the beer bottle up to his lips.
"well, it's not as glamorous as i imagined it would be; but then again, i was about 12." bella laughed. "but seriously, it's tougher than what i expected. i know it's only my second year, but it's tough."
"yeah, right now. like you said, it's only your second year and you're just getting the hang of things." johnny smiled. "trust me, when you're in the big time, i'm gonna remind you of this little talk."
"are you sure you'll remember?" bella giggled as she pressed the joint up to her lips, letting out a small cough.
"i will, you probably won't." johnny laughed as he took the joint, taking one last hit before putting it out.
･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･
PRESENT DAY — VAN NUYS, CA; 1990
"if someone told me that i would go from being just an intern to becoming product manager of calvin fuckin' klein, i would've pinched myself twice." bella said, breathing heavily and wrapping a bedsheet around her bare body as she adjusted herself on the sofa.
"now, miss monroe, you got the job; how are you feeling?" johnny sighed as he ran a hand through his hair and wrapped his arm around bella's shoulder.
"well, considering we just had sex and you also went down on me, pretty good." bella sighed as she placed her lips on her boyfriend's. she grabbed a glass and poured herself more liquor.
"mhm, i'll drink to that." johnny smirked as he took a drink from his half-empty whiskey glass. the couple sat back in the sofa, having a drink while guns n' roses played on the radio. "so, how was your first week on the job?"
"it was lots and lots of paperwork." bella chuckled, holding the glass in her hand. "there's new inventory coming in, so that's what i was doing all week. how about you?"
"okay, remember that i told you about those college courses i was thinking of taking?" johnny said. "i've decided to do it. tony and i applied and we got in. we start in two weeks."
"that's great baby!" bella smiled, intertwining her hands with his. "you dragged tony into this, didn't you?"
"nah, when i told him about it, he was interested." johnny said playing with bella's hands. "besides, it helps to be certified in order to get a higher position."
"i mean, it's great! i'm happy that you're happy about this." bella smiled as she ran her fingers through the muscles on his torso. she placed her lips on his once more, as she ran her hands through his biceps. "so, is construction still as bad as you thought it was back in new york?"
"it's still a drag, but hey, it's steady money." johnny sighed.
"it's also exercise." bella chuckled, softly gripping his biceps. "i like these, y'know."
"oh yeah?" johnny said, biting his lip and flexing his arms.
"mhm. you've been working out, huh?" bella said as she straddled herself into her boyfriend's lap.
"i've been running and working out with the guys." johnny said as he gripped her waist and running his hands down to bella's bottom, giving it a light squeeze.
