𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 𝘢.𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯

𝐱𝐢. 𝐰𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

☾︎𝕎𝔼'𝕃𝕃 𝔹𝔼 𝔸𝕃ℝ𝕀𝔾ℍ𝕋☽︎

October 3/4 and 5, 2016

The sun was just beginning to peek timidly over the horizon when Brooklyn and Alex woke up, wrapped in the warmth of their sheets and the comforting silence of their home. The decision they had made the night before was no longer just an emotional impulse, but a certainty they both shared. To escape. To get away from the hustle and bustle, from the constant scrutiny and the judging glances from the shadows of social media. They wanted to start over, somewhere where they could just be Brooklyn and Alex.

The sound of Blue wagging his tail against the floor broke the silence. The dog was standing next to the bed, with his tongue out and a curious look.

"Looks like someone is ready for adventure," Alex murmured, stroking his head as she turned to Brooklyn, who still had her eyes closed.

"I don't know if I'm ready…" Brooklyn replied, burying her face in her pillow.

Alex smiled tenderly and slid a hand down Brooklyn's back, drawing soft circles with her fingers. "You are. We just have to remember it together."

The day passed in a mix of excitement and nervousness. Packing their lives into a few suitcases proved easier than they thought. The bare essentials: clothes, personal items, a few photos, and of course, Brooklyn's guitar, which rested on the couch as a silent reminder of all that she was. Alex packed a soccer ball as well, making sure to bring a small piece of her world with them.

Blue watched them from the doorway, tilting her head every now and then, as if trying to decipher the unusual hustle and bustle.

"Ready for a new adventure, buddy?" Alex said, bending down to scratch him behind the ears. Blue responded by wagging his tail excitedly, as if he understood every word.

The plan was meticulously organized. Brooklyn had contacted Tree, who helped coordinate the details. They would avoid the paparazzi by flying from a private runway, far from prying eyes. Their destination was a red brick house in a small town outside London, a place where Brooklyn had spent many summers of her childhood.

"It's small, cozy… it has a beautiful view of the countryside," she had said as they searched for destinations the night before. "And no one will look for us there."

"Sounds perfect." Alex replied without hesitation.

As the plane took off, Brooklyn leaned on Alex's shoulder, closing her eyes as the roar of the engines slowly faded away. Alex's hand intertwined with hers, giving her small squeezes, as if reminding her that she was there, that she would always be there.

They landed at a discreet airport, far from the hustle and bustle of London. A black car was waiting for them at the foot of the runway, and as the landscape changed from urban gray to green, open fields, they both began to feel the relief of distance.

The town was exactly as Brooklyn remembered it. Cobblestone streets, small local shops, and old houses with smoking fireplaces that gave off a comforting aroma of wood. As the car pulled up in front of the red brick house, Alex noticed how Brooklyn's eyes sparkled with nostalgia.

"It's more beautiful than I imagined," Alex said, taking the suitcases as Blue jumped out of the car, sniffing the damp grass.

Going inside was like opening a box of memories. The antique furniture, the framed black and white photos on the wall, and the soft light filtering through the windows created a warm atmosphere. Brooklyn walked through the house, touching every piece of furniture, every corner, as if she were reuniting with an old friend.

They spent the first few days settling in and exploring the town. Alex was drawn to the nature trails and open fields, where she could run and play with Blue. Brooklyn, for her part, rediscovered her favorite spots and shared stories from her childhood with Alex.

Afternoons were spent in the garden, enjoying the much-needed quiet and privacy. As autumn progressed, Brooklyn and Alex felt increasingly connected to their new surroundings and to each other. The pressure and stress of their previous lives seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of freedom and renewal.

It was a quiet morning when they decided to inform a few people close to them of their whereabouts and situation. Brooklyn, with her usual calm, called her parents. She assured them that she was fine and simply needed time out of the public spotlight to recharge and enjoy Alex's company. Her parents, who had always been a constant support, understood and assured her that they would respect her privacy while she was away.

Meanwhile, Alex was taking care of her side of the communications. She called her agent to explain the situation. She told him that she was in London with Brooklyn, enjoying some time together away from the cameras and intensive training. Her agent, while initially concerned about the implications for her career, appreciated Alex's transparency and pledged to handle any professional requests or commitments in a way that would not affect her privacy.

After speaking with her agent, Alex reached out to her sisters and parents. She told them about her decision to take a break in London with Brooklyn and assured them that everything was fine. Her sisters, who had always been her closest support network, understood her need for space and sent her their unconditional love and support. Her parents, while somewhat shocked by the sudden decision, trusted Alex's judgment and assured her that they were there for her at all times.

After making sure that her loved ones were informed and protected from media intrusion, Alex picked up Brooklyn's phone with determination. She had learned to handle negative comments and attacks on social media, but this time she was determined to protect Brooklyn from any unfair or harmful criticism.

Brooklyn, with an expression somewhere between amused and exasperated, rolled her eyes at Alex's protective gesture. She decided not to argue and instead turned to her guitar.

She sat on the floor of the cozy living room of the house in London, with the guitar propped up on her legs. As she played the first notes of a song that had been brewing in her mind, her eyes met Alex's, who watched with a mix of admiration and love. It was an intimate moment, where the music filled the space between them, and Blue, walked around behind Brooklyn, sometimes curiously approaching the camera that Alex had ready to record.

With each chord and each word, Brooklyn sang with a sincerity that is only found in songs written from the heart. Alex, not missing a detail, captured the moment on video, focusing on both Brooklyn and Blue, who occasionally peeked playfully at the camera before being gently guided out of frame by Alex.

Midway through the song, when Brooklyn looked up from her guitar and her eyes met Alex's, she whispered an "I love you." It was a spontaneous yet profound moment, a silent acknowledgement of the love and connection they shared beyond words.

In the video, the music and the images captured the essence of their love: Brooklyn's music, Blue's reassuring presence, and Alex's warm gaze, which was determined to protect their shared happiness.