#Mansfield Texas

[catchdacraze]

Let's connect Saturday at Geek Out Mansfield for Free Comic Book Day And let's get our Doodie on! www.doodiesworld.com

#art #artist #freecomicbookday #texasartist #comics #indiecomics #instore #booksigning #indiecomics #Doodie #alien #scifi #cartoon #kidsbooks

[bigtexascabs1]

Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Fort Worth Taxi Cab for Hassle-Free Rides

Whether you’re commuting around the vibrant streets of Fort Worth, Texas, or heading out for a night on the town, reliable transportation is essential. Navigating traffic and finding parking can be challenging, but choosing a Fort Worth taxi cab service is a great way to avoid these common travel stresses. With Texas Yellow Cab & Checker Taxi Service, you get a seamless, professional, and comfortable ride every time. Let’s explore the top five reasons why using a taxi cab in Fort Worth is the perfect option for hassle-free transportation.

1. Convenient and Reliable Service

One of the top benefits of using a Fort Worth taxi cab is the convenience it offers. You can count on Texas Yellow Cab & Checker Taxi Service for timely pickups and drop-offs, 24/7 availability, and dependable service. Whether you’re heading to the airport or just across town, there’s no need to worry about parking or navigating busy streets. Simply book your ride, and the taxi will be there when you need it.

2. Professional Drivers

With a professional taxi service, you’re in the hands of skilled and experienced drivers. Texas Yellow Cab & Checker Taxi Service hires knowledgeable local drivers who know the Fort Worth area inside and out. They take the quickest, most efficient routes to get you to your destination safely and on time. Friendly and courteous, these drivers prioritize your comfort, making your ride enjoyable.

3. Affordable and Transparent Pricing

Taking a Fort Worth taxi cab is a budget-friendly option for getting around. Texas Yellow Cab & Checker Taxi Service offers competitive rates with no hidden fees, ensuring that you know exactly what to expect. This means you don’t have to worry about surge pricing or unexpected costs that often come with ride-sharing apps. You get affordable, transparent pricing every time you book.

4. Safe and Comfortable Rides

Safety is a top priority when you choose a Fort Worth taxi cab. With Texas Yellow Cab & Checker Taxi Service, all vehicles are regularly inspected and well-maintained to ensure a smooth and safe ride. Each vehicle is clean, spacious, and designed for comfort, making sure you arrive at your destination feeling relaxed. Whether you’re riding solo or with a group, the taxi cab is ready to provide a safe journey.

5. No Need to Worry About Parking

One of the biggest advantages of taking a taxi in Fort Worth is avoiding the hassle of finding parking. Especially in busy areas or during events, parking can be difficult and expensive. A Fort Worth taxi cab saves you time and stress, allowing you to get dropped off right at your destination without worrying about parking restrictions or fees.

Conclusion: Choose Texas Yellow Cab & Checker Taxi Service for Hassle-Free Rides

When it comes to easy, reliable transportation in Fort Worth, Texas Yellow Cab & Checker Taxi Service stands out as the best choice. From convenient service and professional drivers to affordable rates and stress-free travel, taking a Fort Worth taxi cab is the ideal solution for getting around town. The next time you need a ride, skip the hassle and book with Texas Yellow Cab & Checker Taxi Service for a smooth, enjoyable experience.

[whitesinhistory]

On August 30, 1956, the first day of school, mobs of white pro-segregationists guarded Mansfield High School and patrolled the streets threatening to use guns and other weapons to prevent Black children from registering. Outside the school, the mob hung an African American effigy at the top of the school’s flag pole and set it on fire. Attached to one pant leg of the effigy was a sign that read, “This Negro tried to enter a white school. This would be a terrible way to die.” On the other leg, a sign read, “Stay Away, Niggers.” A second effigy was hung on the front of the school building.

In 1956, Mansfield, Texas, was a small farming town of 1,500 people. Its schools were strictly segregated and facilities for Black students were run-down and under-funded. Before the start of the 1956-1957 school year, in compliance with a federal desegregation order and the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision barring racial segregation in schools, the Mansfield school board approved a plan to admit 12 Black students to the all-white Mansfield High School. However, many local white residents opposed integration, and some took to the streets in protest.

In response to the unrest on the first day of school, Texas Governor Allan Shivers sent six Texas Rangers to Mansfield with instructions to “maintain law and order” and transfer any students “white or colored, whose attendance or attempts to attend Mansfield High School would be reasonably calculated to incite violence.” Soon afterward, the Mansfield School Board voted to “exhaust all legal remedies to delay integration.”

Though the U.S. Supreme Court in December 1956 rejected the Mansfield school district’s request to delay integration due to local opposition, resistance and non-compliance continued for years. Mansfield, Texas, public schools did not officially desegregate until 1965.

[courtesystaymansfieldtx]

Hotels near Texas Health Mansfield

A hotel near Six Flags Over Texas that’s truly appropriate for family travel can be hard to find because some hotels in Mansfield, TX or the surrounding area don’t cultivate a family-friendly environment. And some don’t offer pricing that’s affordable when traveling with children. But you’ll find the experience you want with us, as our many satisfied past family guests prove. In fact, whether you’re looking for hotels near the many tourist attractions or just passing through and needing a stop-off for a few days, you’re sure to stay in comfort and with the best amenities when you stay with us. May we be your go-to place for family-friendly travel in North Texas?

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[texascleanit]

Crime Scene Cleanup Texas

Crime scene cleanup services play a crucial role in helping families in Texas during difficult and traumatic situations. When a crime, accident, or any other traumatic event occurs in a home, the cleanup process can be overwhelming and emotionally distressing for the affected family members.

[intellius-medical]

Achieve Pain-Free Living: Best Pain Management Doctor in Mansfield, TX

Are you tired of living with chronic pain that hinders your daily activities and quality of life? If so, it's time to seek the help of a pain management doctor who specializes in providing effective solutions to alleviate pain. In Mansfield, TX, one name stands out among the rest – Dr. Rozier MD. With years of experience and a commitment to delivering top-notch care, Dr. Rozier is renowned for helping patients achieve pain-free living. This article will guide you through the importance of pain management, the services offered by Dr. Rozier, and how you can benefit from his expertise.

Introduction

Living with chronic pain can have a significant impact on your daily life, making even the simplest tasks challenging. Seeking professional help from a pain management doctor is crucial to regain control over your life and find lasting relief. In Mansfield, TX, Dr. Rozier MD is a leading expert in pain management, providing comprehensive and personalized solutions to address various pain conditions.

Understanding Pain Management

Pain management is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing, evaluating, and treating various types of pain. The goal is to enhance a patient's quality of life by reducing pain and improving overall function. Pain management doctors employ a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing a range of techniques to address both acute and chronic pain.

The Role of a Pain Management Doctor

A pain management doctor plays a crucial role in assessing and treating pain conditions. They have in-depth knowledge of the complex nature of pain and can offer personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific needs. These specialists are trained in various procedures and interventions to provide effective pain relief and help patients achieve a better quality of life.

Dr. Rozier MD: An Overview

Dr. Rozier MD is a highly skilled and compassionate pain management doctor based in Mansfield, TX. With extensive experience in the field, Dr. Rozier has earned a reputation for his expertise, dedication, and commitment to patient care. He believes in a holistic approach to pain management, combining cutting-edge treatments with a patient-centric focus.

Comprehensive Pain Management Solutions

Dr. Rozier offers a wide range of pain management solutions to address different types of pain conditions. From acute injuries to chronic pain disorders, his comprehensive approach ensures that patients receive the most suitable and effective treatments. Some of the services provided by Dr. Rozier include:

Medication management

Interventional procedures

Physical therapy

Regenerative medicine

Spinal cord stimulation

Radiofrequency ablation

Advanced Treatment Techniques

Dr. Rozier stays at the forefront of medical advancements in pain management, utilizing the latest treatment techniques to ensure optimal results for his patients. With a focus on minimally invasive procedures and innovative therapies, he strives to deliver the highest standard of care. Dr. Rozier's commitment to ongoing education and training ensures that his patients have access to the most advanced and effective pain management options available.

Conditions Treated by Dr. Rozier

Dr. Rozier specializes in treating a wide range of pain conditions, including but not limited to:

Back pain

Neck pain

Joint pain

Arthritis

Headaches

Fibromyalgia

Sciatica

Neuropathy

His expertise allows him to accurately diagnose the underlying causes of pain and develop personalized treatment plans for each patient.

Personalized Care and Patient-Centric Approach

One of the hallmarks of Dr. Rozier's practice is his personalized approach to patient care. He believes in taking the time to understand each patient's unique circumstances and tailoring treatment plans accordingly. Dr. Rozier actively involves his patients in the decision-making process, ensuring they have a clear understanding of their condition and available treatment options.

Why Choose Dr. Rozier MD?

Choosing the right pain management doctor is essential for achieving long-term pain relief and improving your quality of life. Here are some reasons why Dr. Rozier MD stands out among the rest:

Extensive experience and expertise in pain management

Compassionate and patient-centric approach

Utilization of advanced treatment techniques

Personalized care tailored to individual needs

Positive testimonials from satisfied patients

Commitment to ongoing education and medical advancements

Convenient Location and Easy Appointments

Dr. Rozier's clinic is conveniently located in Mansfield, TX, making it easily accessible for patients in the surrounding areas. Scheduling appointments is quick and simple, ensuring minimal wait times and prompt care when you need it most.

Insurance and Payment Options

Dr. Rozier's clinic accepts most insurance plans, making his services accessible to a wide range of patients. Additionally, various payment options are available to accommodate individual financial situations. Contact the clinic to learn more about insurance coverage and payment arrangements.

Dr. Rozier MD: Best pain management doctor in Mansfield, TX

If you're seeking relief from chronic pain and a better quality of life, Dr. Rozier MD is the best pain management doctor in Mansfield, TX. With his extensive experience, personalized approach, and commitment to staying at the forefront of pain management techniques, Dr. Rozier is dedicated to helping you achieve pain-free living. Take the first step towards a pain-free future by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Rozier today.

[conandaily2022]

Mansfield, Texas teacher Thomas Boykin accused of shooting son, stepdaughter, booked into Everman City Jail

Thomas Boykin, 52, of Mansfield, Texas, United States was an eighth-grade science teacher at Linda Jobe Middle School in Mansfield. He was hired by the Mansfield Independent School District in 2015. Boykin lived in a house on Arabian Court in Mansfield with his wife, his stepdaughter, 21, and his son, 13. On the evening of May 16, 2023, Boykin and his wife had an argument inside their house. At…

[everythingelvispresley]

Elvis had never lived away from home before, and he was miserable, homesick for his mother, Gladys. “He needed someone to look out for him,” Mansfield says, “and Sergeant Norwood was a good one to do that.” William Norwood, the master sergeant, saw the despair in the kid’s face and took him home so he could call his mother. “When you come in my house, you can let it all out” was Norwood’s fatherly advice. “But when you walk out of my front door, you are now Elvis Presley. You’re an actor. You’re a soldier. So, by God, I want you to act! Don’t let anybody know how you feel on the inside."

When GIs from other companies razzed Elvis during marches, Sergeant Norwood would stop the proceedings and dress the offender down.

Presley reportedly turned down opportunities to tour as a military entertainer or serve as a recruiting pitchman when he was drafted, and generally wanted to be treated as an ordinary soldier. His entry into the Army created a media circus. But officials at Fort Hood, where Presley was assigned to the 2nd Armored Division and underwent basic and advanced training, ordered the media not to interfere with his training, since he was to be treated as any other recruit.

Yet the legend of a young Elvis who lived for about six months with his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, in a sprawling one-story house in Killeen has endured in Central Texas lore. Elvis was known to drive a Cadillac, go grocery shopping with his parents at the Piggly Wiggly and sometimes come out onto the front porch in the evenings to sign autographs.

Stories abound of the summer of '58, when Presley, tanned by the Texas sun, would be seen around town. His family rental house on Oak Hill Drive has been a novelty for longtime Killeen residents who drive by to see "the house where Elvis lived."

Teri Hospers, a pediatric cardiologist in San Antonio who attended Nolan Middle School in Killeen in the 1970s, remembers a story one of the teachers there often told about a dog he had as a boy who once bit Elvis. After Presley left Killeen, the dog appeared in a local parade with a sign around its neck, proclaiming "I bit Elvis Presley."

Bitten in backyard:

"To avoid fans gathered at his house, Elvis would run through the neighbors' backyards. That's how he got bitten," Hospers said. "We all thought it was a funny story. In a town like Killeen, it was exciting to have a connection to someone that famous."

Elvis letter to Fort Hood mentor:

Presley had written a heartfelt, two-page letter while serving in the Army in Germany. The letter, signed, "your friend, PFC Elvis Presley," was written by the King of Rock 'n' Roll at a pivotal time in his life, less than three months after his mother died, to a Fort Hood sergeant who mentored the young private and helped him deal with his grief.

In a similar dispatch he wrote from Germany to one of his cousins:

In that letter, sent the same month as to the one to Norwood, Presley wrote of his sadness over the loss of his mother, who had died of a heart attack at age 46.

He even mentioned longing for the "last few wonderful days at Fort Hood" that he spent with her, Livingston said.

Credit Everything Elvis from Shake Rag to Memphis Facebook group

[catchdacraze]

Join Doodie and Friends at @ Geek Out Mansfield Texas May 4th for an in store signing on Free Comic Book Day Something special coming...

#artist #event #booksigning #booktour #freecomicbookday #indiecomics #Doodie #cartoon #books #booktour #texas #mansfieldtx #comicshop #comicbookshop

[bigtexascabs1]

taxi services in hillsboro tx

[whitesinhistory]

On August 30, 1956, the first day of school, mobs of white pro-segregationists guarded Mansfield High School and patrolled the streets threatening to use guns and other weapons to prevent Black children from registering. Outside the school, the mob hung an African American effigy at the top of the school’s flag pole and set it on fire. Attached to one pant leg of the effigy was a sign that read, “This Negro tried to enter a white school. This would be a terrible way to die.” On the other leg, a sign read, “Stay Away, Niggers.” A second effigy was hung on the front of the school building.

In 1956, Mansfield, Texas, was a small farming town of 1,500 people. Its schools were strictly segregated and facilities for Black students were run-down and under-funded. Before the start of the 1956-1957 school year, in compliance with a federal desegregation order and the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision barring racial segregation in schools, the Mansfield school board approved a plan to admit 12 Black students to the all-white Mansfield High School. However, many local white residents opposed integration, and some took to the streets in protest.

In response to the unrest on the first day of school, Texas Governor Allan Shivers sent six Texas Rangers to Mansfield with instructions to “maintain law and order” and transfer any students “white or colored, whose attendance or attempts to attend Mansfield High School would be reasonably calculated to incite violence.” Soon afterward, the Mansfield School Board voted to “exhaust all legal remedies to delay integration.”

Though the U.S. Supreme Court in December 1956 rejected the Mansfield school district’s request to delay integration due to local opposition, resistance and non-compliance continued for years. Mansfield, Texas, public schools did not officially desegregate until 1965.

[longliveblackness]

What Happened When A White Man "Became" Black In The 1950s America?

John Griffin had previously served in the U.S. military, where shrapnel caused him to go temporarily blind. However, in 1959, Griffin would do something even more trying: He would live for six weeks as a black man in the South.

It was blindness that inspired John Howard Griffin, a white author and journalist from Dallas, Texas, to write about color in the United States. In 1956, Griffin, blind at the time, sat in on a panel discussion in Mansfield, Texas about desegregation. Unable to tell the speakers' races from their voices, Griffin began to see color anew.

Under the supervision of a New Orleans-based dermatologist, Griffin would spend a week under a sun lamp, up to 15 hours a day, soaking up UV rays. He would also take Oxsoralen, a prescription drug meant to treat vitiligo, which would aid in expediting the darkening of his skin.

With darker skin, and a shaved head and arms, Griffin set out to the American South - starting in New Orleans and ending in Atlanta. Griffin had a few rules for this journey: Namely, that he would stay at black-only hotels, eat at cafes run by African-Americans, and travel with African-Americans. If anyone asked him what he was doing, he would be honest.

Just as his skin color changed, so too did the treatment he received from others. Describing what he called a "hate stare" he received in a bus station lobby, Griffin wrote:

"I walked up to the ticket counter. When the lady ticket-seller saw me, her otherwise attractive face turned sour, violently so. This look was so unexpected and so unprovoked I was taken aback.

'What do you want?' she snapped.

Taking care to pitch my voice to politeness, I asked about the next bus to Hattiesburg. She answered rudely and glared at me with such loathing I knew I was receiving what the Negroes call the hate stare'. It was my first experience with it. It is far more than the look of disapproval one occasionally gets. This was so exaggeratedly hateful I would have been amused if I had not been so surprised."

John Griffin wrote a book called Black Like Me about his experience. The book was published in 1961 and was later translated into 14 languages and a film. The harrowing stories within its pages, coupled with Griffin's own transformation, generated strong public responses.

•••

¿Qué sucedió cuando un hombre blanco "se volvió" negro en los Estados Unidos en la década de 1950?

John Griffin había servido previamente en el ejército de los Estados Unidos, fue aquí donde la metralla le causó ceguera temporal. Sin embargo, en 1959, Griffin haría algo aún más difícil: por seis semanas, viviría como un hombre negro en el sur.

Fue la ceguera lo que inspiró a John Howard Griffin, un autor y periodista blanco de Dallas, Texas, a escribir sobre el color en los Estados Unidos. En 1956, Griffin, quien se encontraba ciego en ese entonces, se sentó en un debate sobre desegregación, el cual fue llevado a cabo en Mansfield, Texas. Al no poder determinar la raza de los oradores basándose en su voz, Griffin comenzó a ver el color como algo nuevo.

Bajo la supervisión de un dermatólogo de Nueva Orleans, Griffin pasaría una semana debajo de una lámpara solar, hasta quince horas por día, absorbiendo rayos ultravioleta. También tomaría Oxsoralen, un medicamento recetado que es para tratar vitiligo, lo cual ayudaría a acelerar el oscurecimiento de su piel.

Con piel oscura y con la cabeza y brazos rasurados, Griffin se dirigió al sur de Estados Unidos, comenzando en Nueva Orleans y terminando en Atlanta. Griffin tenía un par de reglas para este viaje: se quedaría en hoteles para personas negras, comería en cafeterías operadas por afroamericanos y únicamente viajaría con afroamericanos. Si alguien llegase a preguntarle qué era lo que estaba haciendo, sería honesto.

Así como cambió su color de piel, también cambió el trato que recibía de los demás. Describiendo lo que el llama “una mirada de odio”, la cual que recibió en la recepción de una parada de autobús, Griffin escribió:

“Me dirigí hacia la taquilla. Cuando la mujer que estaba vendiendo los boletos me vio, su rostro, que de otro modo sería atractivo, de una manera abrupta se volvió amargo. Esta respuesta fue tan inesperada y sin provocación alguna. Me sorprendió.”

“¿Qué es lo que quieres?” me preguntó de manera grosera.

“Asegurándome de mantener la voz en un tono cortés, le pregunté cuando saldría el próximo bus a Hattiesburg. Me contestó de manera grosera y me estaba viendo con tanto odio, simplemente sabía que estaba recibiendo lo que los negros llaman “la mirada de odio”. Esta fue mi primera experiencia con ella y es más que la mirada de desaprobación que le dan a uno de vez en cuando. Esto estuvo exageradamente cargado de odio y me hubiese divertido si no hubiese estado tan sorprendido.”

Griffin escribió un libro sobre su experiencia, llamado ‘Negro como yo’. El libro fue publicado en 1961 y luego se tradujo a un total de catorce idiomas y se hizo una película. La historias desgarradoras y la transformación de Griffin, causaron una fuerte respuesta pública.

[bitter69uk]

Sex kitten summit meeting! Jayne Mansfield and Éva Gábor photographed at the Cotillion Ball at the Shamrock Hilton in Houston Texas in November 1960. Imagine partying with this fun duo! Effervescent coquette Éva Gábor (11 February 1919 – 4 July 1995), youngest and most talented of the three much-married fabulously ridiculous Hungarian American socialite, elite courtesan and surgically-enhanced glamourpuss Gábor sisters, was born on this day 105 years ago. While she’s inevitably described as “famous for being famous”, Gábor was a gifted and sparkling comedic actress of stage, screen and TV (especially in 1960s sitcom Green Acres; seek out the film Paris Model (1953) for further evidence), possessed a distinctive campy voice (she memorably did voice-overs for the Disney films The Aristocats (1970) and The Rescuers (1977)) – and the boss lady behind her own successful wig range! Gábor may also have been bisexual: in his 2019 book Finding Zsa Zsa: The Gabors Behind the Legend, author Sam Staggs suggests that Eva enjoyed a long liaison with Marlene Dietrich. Apparently, Francesca Hilton (Zsa Zsa Gábor's daughter and Eva’s niece) alleged to Staggs that her aunt was secretly a lesbian. Considering Éva was married five times and had a long romance with Glenn Ford, her commitment to Sapphism seems unlikely. But who knows? To complicate things, Eva was widely rumoured to be Merv Griffin’s “beard” later in life. Let’s hope it’s true! Anyway, my favourite Éva Gábor memory: circa 1989 when her more volatile older sister Zsa Zsa was famously arrested for slapping a traffic cop’s face, the cable network Nick at Nite promoted their reruns of Green Acres with an ad proclaiming, “Remember – this is Éva, not Zsa Zsa! Eva will not harm you!”

[amazonclimber]

Il Siracusano’s gameplay really disappointed me. The story was fantastic, but Blood Debt just felt like a thing that was there. You can’t really mitigate it except by protecting civilians, and you can’t really play around it. It’s like an annoying version of Imprisonment from Mansfield.

I think one thing that would really have fixed things would have been giving it an interaction with Silence and Stun. Like, make it go harder in general, but if you’ve stunned an enemy they don’t increase Blood Debt when they die, and make all the moves that increase able to be silenced. Not only would that be more interesting to play with, but it’d also be thematic. Texas’ signature moves inflict stun, and Lappland is the queen of silence; they’re the ones who know how to deal with the mafiosi.

[talia-rumlow]

Home Sweet Home (AU Brock Rumlow/Original Female Character) 18+ Chapter One

WORDCOUNT: 6267

TRIGGERS: Age Gap, 911 Call, Police

CHAPTER ONE - SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS!

The blistering Texas sun beamed down on the pavement, smothering downtown Mansfield in an oppressive heat wave. The cloudless sky stretched on in an expanse of clear blue, offering no respite from the sweltering 93°F temperature. The only escapes from the relentless rays were the shady trees in the parks or the cool relief of air conditioning indoors.

As Calleigh locks the office door, she feels the heat radiating in from outside. Having worked in her dad's delivery business for a little over three months now, she easily navigates the building, double-checking that everything is secured for the weekend. Approaching the exit, the intense heat worsens. Calleigh lifts her shirt, revealing a cute pink butterfly piercing on her belly button - a small act of rebellion she got after her first visit with her dad following her mom's move to New York with a new boyfriend. Pushing aside thoughts of New York and the boyfriend she detests, Calleigh fans her exposed stomach with her shirt in a futile attempt to withstand the heat on her way out, silently thanking the universe for Fridays and weekends.

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

Brock backs his day-old black Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as close to the garage door as possible. Searching for the key to turn off the engine, he suddenly remembers this truck has a keyless start/stop system—all he has to do is push a button. Brock chuckles a bit of his lack of knowledge about his new car, before he makes a mental note to get used to the new feature.

Though the car met all his needs, Brock struggled to adjust to its high-tech features. While he wanted to embrace the smart house, smart phone, smart car lifestyle, at heart he was old-fashioned. To Brock, a car should just be a car, and a phone just a phone. These days, cars were becoming more like living spaces, packed with extra gadgets and gizmos; and those new phones were multipurpose devices that served not only as phones, but also as calendars, alarm clocks, cameras, journals, and computers. He almost felt that he was too old to keep up, with his 46 years, Brock started to feel that his youth had passed him by long ago.

Placing his toned muscular forearm on the center console; Brock looks over the dashboard. The car's built-in entertainment system was bigger than his nephew's tablet. The right side of the screen informed him that the temperature was a scorching 94°F and climbing; moving over to the left side, where he could decide on what radio station to listen to, operate the car's cameras, use the built-in GPS system, connect his phone via Bluetooth and a bunch of other stuff he'd probably never use.

A quick glance at the clock told him that he had to get to work. He had promised Jack ages ago that he would fix the Oil leak, change the filter, the camshaft belt and do an overall service on the car. But the parts he needed weren't always easy to come by. So here he was, grabbing his mechanic's creeper off his truck, to finally do the job; four months behind schedule.

Brock swings open the garage door, revealing the stunning 1967 Chevy Impala. The sleek black exterior gleams in the sunlight, resembling a rare diamond. Despite its age and need for repairs, the Impala exudes charm, blending masculinity and nostalgic charm. Like Brock, Jack shares a fondness for vintage cars, true American muscle cars such as this. The old cassette player still hums within, and Jack hasn't altered a single detail on the car. There's a palpable sense of trust between them as Brock cherishes the responsibility and level of trust Jack has placed in his hands.

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

Calleigh frowned at her license photo. At only 20 years old, she had not yet grown comfortable with her appearance. She felt her nasal bone was too thick, making her eyes seem too far apart. Makeup helped camouflage this to some extent, but no amount of makeup could alter her height. At 5'10", she was taller than average, which made finding flattering clothes a challenge. She often wished she had her mother's petite 5'3" frame, having clearly inherited her stature from the Rollins side of the family. While she could live with her blonde hair, she wished it had more volume. Her lips were too pale and thin for her liking, though makeup could fix that as well. Unlike her mother's ocean blue eyes, Calleigh had green eyes, another Rollins family trait. Glancing in the rearview mirror, Calleigh took stock of herself - blonde hair, blonder in summer; green eyes; lightly pinked lips with distinctive dips cupping her nose; a high forehead. She was a harmonious blend of both parents.

Calleigh connects her phone to the car's entertainment system, the little screen in the middle of the dashboard makes it easy to navigate through spotify to find her song, Coldplay and The Chainsmokers with Something Just Like This. It’s a song that seems fitting for her life right now.

Ever since she moved back to Texas, and Mansfield, she felt like her whole life was already planned for her.

She would get a seat at the board of directors alongside her dad and her grandfather in the delivery business on her 21st birthday in December. It would give her a comfortable and financially steady life, but very few choices.

With an exasperated sigh, Calleigh places her purse in the passenger seat. The black leather seat had small stitched details, a lighter shade of burnt orange in color, along the sides, giving it a more luxurious look.

When her dad had offered to buy her a new car, Calleigh had opted for the Mini Cooper, a car she felt was more suitable for her needs. But Jack had his mind made up on a 2020 Chevrolet Impala, black of course, to have it blend in with the other cars in the garage. After a bit of discussing back and forth, Calleigh had just given up. A car was a car, and she needed one. Although she would have given almost anything to have a convertible right now.

She was thankful for the car, it was nice and spacious with its four doors and five seats, it had room enough for both Calleigh and her friends.

The trunk suited all of her needs with enough room for both grocery shopping and a shopping spree at the local mall. The black leather seats with the burnt orange stitching offered comfort with their user friendly adjustment mechanism. The center console, designed with faux wood, held a spacious storage compartment and a double cup holder, one of which now held the almost empty Venti iced caramel latte that Calleigh got from Starbucks this morning.

The comfortable, highly equipped steering wheel made it easy to answer the phone, change songs, adjust the volume, as well as the heat in the winter. The 2020 Chevy Impala did indeed deliver a luxurious and comfortable driving experience.

She grew up in a well off family, both of her parents came from money. Both the Rollins Delivery Service and the Lewis Jewelry line had been around for generations, earning themselves a good reputation and money to live a more than comfortable life. Despite all of this, Calleigh had never seen herself as spoiled. She knew nothing came for free, that she had to work hard in school, and she had to earn her allowance. Her parents, even if they were never together, had made sure of that.

The drive from downtown Mansfield to South Pointe was roughly 10 to 15 minutes long, depending on traffic. But in this heat, Calleigh feels that it took two hours. Her shirt is sticking to her back, and her throat screams for water to the point where she's about to chug the last of the latte that had been sitting in her car all day. All she wanted was to change into a bikini and spend the rest of the weekend relaxing by the pool in the backyard.

Despite having to spend the weekend alone; without her two best friends. Jessica was preparing for her undergraduate degree, and Molly had been assigned to take a HR Masterclass in Seattle. Her dad was away as well, having a tiny legal crisis in Chicago, he had decided to fly over there himself, to oversee the negotiations. Calleigh looked forward to a weekend by the pool.

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

As Calleigh approaches the house, she notices the black Pickup truck that's backed all the way into the now open garage door. Not a truck she recognizes, and they rarely had any other unannounced visitors other than her grandparents or Brock from time to time. But Brock was on a work spree these days. Calleigh hadn’t even seen him since she moved back home; which was strange, because in summertime he practically lived in the garage. Fixing her dad’s various vehicles, as well as his own; whilst sharing some beers with her dad. It was almost so that she thought that they had fallen out. But the legal crisis in Chicago had occupied her dad for quite some time, so that might be it. The two men simply didn't have time for social get-togethers these days. Even Friday Night BBQ was put on hold for the time being.

The Friday Night BBQ was one of Calleigh's most cherished traditions. Her dad and Brock manned the grill while she and her friends frolicked in the pool or yard. As they aged, they took on more duties. Molly routinely brought her signature focaccia and salad— a recipe Calleigh unsuccessfully tried recreating time and time again. Jess handled dessert; her Texas-style peach cobbler was unrivaled, the moist and buttery delight created a sweet symphony on her pallads, and topped with a scoop of peach ice cream, it became unresistable no matter how much anyone had for dinner. Occasionally Molly's mom and Jess's parents joined, packing the expansious backyard with joy, nostalgia, and hearty laughter.

With the memories of time well spent, playing like a movie in her head, Calleigh drives past the house at 2 mph as she examines the truck that's parked in front of the garage. A black Silverado, newer model. Having grown up with a father like Jack, with his fondness for cars, she's picked up a thing or ten. Of course it also helped that she spent numerous afternoons at the Rumlow garage in her early teens, when her dad worked late, or her mom spent time with that new boyfriend.

Calleigh's body goes cold when she remembers the 67 Impala in the garage. Jack's favorite car. He spent years finding the perfect one. If someone is trying to steal it, or parts from it; Jack would go ballistic. And given his military background, it'll not be pretty. For a second Calleigh feels like a six-year old, not knowing what to tell her parents when she broke a glass or spilled water on her bed.

Though South Pointe was a gated community, there were no guards on site. To enter, you needed either a code from a resident or a chip that automatically opened the gate. With the recent expansions and the constant flow of workers going in and out, it was easy for anyone to get in, whether they belonged there or not. And with a truck like the new Silverado, you could easily drive in, fill the spacious bed with whatever you were stealing; and then drive back out, without anyone raising a brow.

Calleigh takes a deep breath, weighing her options. Should she call the police or confront the person in the garage herself? Having spent four years in New York, she knows how to handle situations and always keeps pepper spray in her purse, even in Mansfield, where crime rates are lower. Despite the safer environment, she's aware that appearances can be deceiving, and anyone could pose a threat.

Turning her car at the end of the street, Calleigh retrieves her phone from her purse, its cute pink cover with butterflies and faux diamonds contrasting with the ominous atmosphere she envisions in the garage. Without overthinking, she dials 9-1-1.

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” a calm female voice responds after a few rings.

“I'm.…I think someone is breaking into my house,” Calleigh says, suddenly unsure if 9-1-1 was the right choice.

“Are you in the house, ma��am?” The voice persists. Calleigh hesitates, considering whether to hang up and face the intruder alone. “Ma’am, are you inside the house?” the voice repeats.

“N..no. I.. I'm outside.. In my car. I don't know what to do. I… I..” Calleigh is desperate, on the verge of crying. She can't remember the last time she didn't want to be home alone. But this is one of those times.

“What's your name ma'am?” The voice continues, still in that calm tone.

Calleigh takes a breath “Calleigh Lewis Rollins.” She replies, with a shaky breath. Trying to calm down her beating heart.

“Do you know if they're armed?” The woman on the phone continues. Calleigh feels that ice cold feeling in her stomach. Armed? She didn't think about that at all. What if they're armed, what does she do then?

“I don't know. I don't know!” She shakily replies. Her voice on the verge of breaking. Without realizing that she does, she reaches for her pepper spray. The little 3 inch pink container designed as a keychain was easy to carry around, easy to use and it had a neutral design, which made it perfect to carry around for self defense.

“Calleigh, calm down. You're going to be fine. I'll dispatch a unit to your location. What's your address?” The voice continues in a calm soothing manner, which helps to calm Calleigh down.

“2837 Chandler Court” Calleigh replies, happy that she remembered the address. She hasn't lived here too long, and in this particular situation it's things like that that usually slips.

“Do you have any firearms in the house?” Another question about guns. It's not that Calleigh wasn't used to them, it was just that in this situation, guns didn't feel like a safe topic. And this is Texas, everyone has firearms.

“Y..Yeah, we have some. Seven or ten maybe.” Calleigh replies as she does a mental runthrough of the house, trying to remember where Jack keeps all his guns. The gun cabinet in the living room, the hide away cabinet in his bedroom, and the safe in the….. garage. Calleigh takes another shaky breath as she imagines some bad ass crocks breaking into that safe.

“I've dispatched a unit to your location. They'll be there in about ten minutes. And Calleigh, please lock the doors, and stay in the car until the unit arrives.” The voice on the phone informs her, still calm and collected. Calleigh can't believe how they manage to be this calm with people in shock, pain, rage, people who're scared out of their minds. But now, today, she's extremely thankful for it.

Clenching the container with pepper spray in her hand, Calleigh almost whispers into the phone “Yes. Thank you.”

“Calleigh, please stay in the car.” The lady on the phone says again. But Calleigh can hardly hear it. She flips the top of the container in her hand, as she hangs up the phone, and slowly exits the car.

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

With half an eye on the wrench around the unwilling screw, and half an eye on the bucket for the oil, Brock tries to get the screw to give. His left foot firmly planted on the concrete garage floor to steady himself, as he struggles to get the screw loose. His biceps flexing, the veins on his arm popping. His teeth clenched in concentration, and the sweat dripped from his forehead.

Brock applies just a bit more muscle power, determined to get the screw to give. The sweat on his hands makes him lose his grip around the wrench. His hand flies up, hitting the car, as the wrench falls to the floor, creating an echo around the oversized garage. “Aaaa, fuck,” he almost screams, as he shakes his hand to try to ease the pain.

The sound of metal hitting concrete, the echo that follows and the screaming make Calleigh jump. Her heart is beating out of her chest, and that ice cold feeling in her stomach comes back. Yes, the 9-1-1 dispatcher told her to lock the doors and stay in the car. But ten minutes? They should know how much damage that can be done within ten minutes. She had to leave the car. But with the screaming and the noise. Maybe she should've stayed put. Anyway, it's too late for that now.

Calleigh places her thumb on the top of the pepper spray container. “Stop what you're doing I have a weapon!” She yells, surprised by how firm her voice is, she lifts the container, ready to attack.

Brock jumps under the car from the voice yelling, something about a weapon. Startled, he tries to sit up, but since he's under the car, sitting up only serves for him to bang his head against the car. “Fuck! Shit! Don't shoot, I'm unarmed!” He yells back in a haste. Quickly moving the creeper, so he can stand up.

Getting up faster than he's ever done before, raising his arms to show whoever it is that he is indeed unarmed. “Don't shoot! I'm un-,” when he sees Calleigh he stops for a second “armed….” He breathes out in surprise at the woman standing before him. Beautiful. That's the only thing he can say about her; Silently in his mind of course.

Calleigh carefully drinks in the man in front of her. His well-worn jeans sit comfortably on his hips, a cloth tucked into the right side. His V-shaped lower abdomen is unlike anything she's seen before, leading up to a six-pack and impressive pecs that could be straight out of a commercial. The oil stains and sweat on his upper body add a sexy touch. Moving upward, she notices strong pecs lightly dusted with chest hair. As she lifts her face, broad-toned shoulders barely register in her mind compared to the veiny upper arms that make her knees feel weak. Before fully revealing the rest, she takes a breath and discovers a strong jawline, dark facial hair, followed by soft, playful, and kissable lips, a broad nose perfectly placed on his flawless face. As her gaze reaches further, she encounters two soft hazel brown eyes adorned with dark lashes and brows. Calleigh's heart skips a beat, and in surprise, she breathes out, "Brock?”

Brock had never seen such beauty and grace. Calleigh had blossomed into a stunning woman, with shoulder-length blonde locks with a few curls framing her face. Her soft pink lips were slightly parted in surprise, complementing her petite nose and accentuating the delicate curves of her upper lip. Her emerald eyes shone like gemstones, undoubtedly a Rollins family trait.

Brock swallows, his heart does a jump in his chest. “Calleigh?” His voice carried a bit of surprise. He remembered Calleigh as a rebellious 16-year old, getting belly-button piercings without permission. He did not expect this God sent beauty. And he's not sure how he should react. This is Jack's daughter. He shouldn't feel his heart jump like this because of her.

Jesus Christ, Calleigh thinks for herself. Did she just think about Brock's lips as kissable? Brock Rumlow? Her dad's best friend. Naha, no way. Take it back, take it back, take it back; she repeats the three words again and again in her head, like a mantra. It's all in vain, when Brock's lips slowly curl up into a half smile. His upper lip on the left side curls up, revealing his teeth. Calleigh feels drawn to it. It's like magnetism, an invisible force that's dragging her towards him. She swallows in a desperate attempt to keep her heart out of her throat. It's Brock, Calleigh! He's over 40 years old, and your dad's best friend; the voice in her head screams to her at this point.

"What errr..." Brock takes the cloth from his jeans and wipes his hands on it before continuing. "What are you doing here?" he questions, his eyes traveling over her. Her short-sleeved white shirt reveals the small dips by her collarbone, and Brock's fingers twitch as his mind imagines gliding his fingertips over them. He knows he shouldn't feel this way. Why does he feel this way? Further down the shirt lays tight over her breasts, Brock swallows from the sight of them. Jesus, get it together, Brock; he silently curses at himself.

“I live here.” Calleigh replies, before he can take in the rest of her. She rubs her hand on her neck. The garage offers shade and a living temperature, but she can still feel the heat from outside. And looking at Brock all sweaty and sexy isn't helping at all. “What are you doing here?” She continues, she knows that's a stupid question. He was on his creeper, under the car when she came in, and the oil stains are also a big giveaway.

“I'm fixing your Dad’s car,” Brock answers her question with a little smile, and a tap on the hood of the Impala. “How's that neighborhood watch thing going for ya?” He adds with a little chuckle.

“Huh?” Calleigh feels like she just fell out of the sky. And she imagines that it must look that way too.

Brock gestures with his head to the container in her right hand, and Calleigh looks down to see her thumb still firmly placed on the top of it. Quickly putting the cap back on, she puts her hand behind her back. “It's nothing. It's just…” she tries, but the damage is already done. The only thing she can hope for now, is that Brock won't tell Jack about it.

“For protection?” Brock asks, as he wipes his abs with the cloth. When Calleigh doesn't answer, he continues. “New York taught you a few things huh?” He delivers the question with an understanding head tilt.

Calleigh takes a breath “Yeah I guess you could say—“ she’s interrupted by sirens approaching.

Brock lets out a little laugh “You called the cops on me.” It's more of a statement than a question. Calleigh feels a rush of embarrassment, as Brock lets out another friendly laugh.

“Not so much on you.. I..” Calleigh starts, moving her legs nervously. “I.. I thought you were someone else,” she tries, but without any kind of words to complete that sentence.

“Well, guess I can only hope that they won't arrest me,” Brock continues to chuckle, as he swings the cloth over his left shoulder, and walks outside to face the police.

Calleigh stays behind for a second or two before she shakes her head and lets out an exasperating breath. This is too embarrassing. Did she really call the cops on Brock? Jesus, she's never going to hear the end of this. This'll be one of those stories that'll be mentioned in a speech at her wedding. She can just hear it in her head ‘And you can feel totally safe, Calleigh will protect her terf whatever the cost. I remember…’ Shaking her head again, she walks outside as well.

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

Not one, not two, but three units showed up. Thank you so much brain, for mentioning all the firearms in the house. Calleigh thinks to herself. Thankfully the misunderstanding was easy to clear up. Two of the officers knew Brock, which was understandable since Brock owned the only garage around that was certified to work on the police vehicles. And of course it helped that both the Lewis and the Rollins name was well known around these parts.

Just as the officers are leaving, Calleigh spots Mrs. Callahan across the street, coming out of her house with her walker. Mrs. Callahan was this tiny 4’9" little old lady, with long gray frizzy hair, she always wore white compression socks, a skirt with flower patterns on, a white shirt, a home knitted cardigan and brown slippers, she had lived across the street since forever. She was a really nice old lady, but she put her nose into absolutely everything.

“Miss Calleigh.” She yells across the street, with what little voice she has left. “Miss Calleigh, is everything alright?” She continues, as she walks across the street towards them.

“Yeah, Mrs. Callahan, everything is fine. Don’t worry.” Calleigh smiles at the old lady.

“I saw the police. Are you sure everything is alright? How's your father? Jack is such a sweetheart, don't you think?” Mrs. Callahan continues to talk. The thing with Mrs. Callahan was that after her husband passed away a few years ago, she had become very chatty. And if she started, there was almost no way of stopping her.

“Everything is perfectly fine Mrs. Callahan. It was just a misunderstanding” Brock shoots in, sending Calleigh an amused look when he says misunderstanding. “I can assure you that you can sleep safely.” He continues, giving the old lady a protective smile.

“O..Okay” Mrs. Callahan nods to Brock. Then she stops. “Would you be so kind as to walk an old lady back home, Brock?” She continues with her distinct old lady voice.

Brock sends Calleigh a small smile, before he offers his arm to Mrs. Callahan. When they start the short walk over the street, Calleigh can hear her say ‘Such a sweetheart, such a sweetheart’ over and over again. Calleigh can't help but smile. Both from the old lady calling Brock a sweetheart, and from the fact that Brock seriously makes her heart jump, and her stomach swoop. Both of which are feelings she's never had before.

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

Calleigh has just finished maneuvering her car into the garage when Brock returns. Still wearing nothing but his well worn work jeans, with oil stains and rips on them. And then that body. Calleigh swallows hard to not let out any type of sound that can give away how she reacts to this man.

“You want Apple pie?” Brock asks, holding up two Apple pies, one in each hand. “Because I have two of them,” he continues, looking from Calleigh to the pies, and then back to Calleigh again.

Mrs. Callahan might be nosy to the point where Calleigh almost felt uneasy about it. But the old lady did make the most delicious Apple pies. Sweet, zesty and sugary. With the most amazing Granny Smith apples, cooked until perfection, with that sweet taste of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg and sugar. Calleigh remembers them from the block parties when she was a little girl. Finishing up her dinner as fast as possible, to make sure she could grab a slice before they were all gone. Her mouth still goes watery when she thinks about it.

“She gave you two?” Calleigh laughs. Smiling wide. Partly for the thought of eating Mrs. Callahan's Apple pies again and partly from the thought that she might sit down with Brock and eat them. Why is that thought so prominent? It's not like Brock hasn't had dinner or food in general in this house before. She practically grew up with him around.

“Two isn't enough?” Brock questions, placing the two pies on the roof of Calleigh's car, before he starts to turn around. “Because I'm pretty sure I can get like five more,” he continues as he starts to leave the garage. Brock chides himself. What the hell is wrong with him? Why is he suddenly acting like a fuckin' teenager? Playing stupid flirting games, so that Calleigh will try to stop him, touch him. Jesus, Brock. He thinks for himself. Calleigh must think he's insane.

“No, no, no,” Calleigh hastily replies, grabbing Brock's wrist. “Two is –,” she involuntarily stops mid sentence from the sensation of Brock's skin against her palm. “Two is fine.. it's –” she continues, meeting his eyes as she lets go of his wrist. One of Brock's fingertips brushes over her palm, sending waves of shivers up her arm “perfect” she breathes out.

“Alrighty then,” Brock smiles, as he once again takes the pies. “Just heat them on 350, for 15 to 20 minutes, and we'll have ourselves a treat,” he continues as he opens the door that leads from the garage into the house.

Calleigh examines his broad and perfectly toned backside. His jeans fit perfectly over his behind. Calleigh swallows again. Stop it, she once again tells herself. “Maybe have a shower first?” She suggests, before she follows Brock. A shower? Really, Calleigh? She thinks to herself, the thought of naked Brock in the shower makes her want to slap herself. Cold shower it is. A really cold shower.

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

Calleigh locks the door to the downstairs bathroom, before leaning her forehead against the door. Oh,God. Is she stupid? It's frickin Brock for God's sake. What is she thinking? Turning around, she leans her back against the door, as she glances over the bathroom.

The bathroom had undergone a luxurious renovation. The once white walls were now covered in sleek black and gold marble tiles that gave the space a rich feel. The wood-look flooring stretched out, making the room seem spacious. Acoustic panels in complementary black and wood tones lined the ceiling. Gone was the indoor jacuzzi that Calleigh loved as a child, replaced by a double waterfall shower. Concrete shelves anchored the masculine vanity area. Perched atop were two oval basins crafted from natural river stone, marrying masculinity with luxury. A sauna for four to six sat in one corner, unused but admittedly stylish. Though unfamiliar, Calleigh had to concede the new bathroom was rather nice looking.

Stepping away from the door, Calleigh removes her work clothes, tossing them in the laundry basket by the door. Before she steps into the shower, she once again takes a look at herself in the mirror. She looks… What's the word? Young and inexperienced. Small breasts, though still firm and pointing the ‘right’ way, they're still small. Narrow hips. Damnit! Why does she care so much about this all of a sudden? Brock.. Like he would ever want someone like her. “Why do you care, Calleigh?” She says to the mirror, before she enters the shower.

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

The guest bathroom upstairs offers every accommodation a guest might need, whether it was a short or a longer stay. The modern design, such as the subway tiles in the shower, the floating shelves for towels and toiletries, the bathtub, with it's spa-like bath pillow, and the shower curtain, resting on a black shower rod, that stretched from one wall to another, mixed with the intricate black and white pattern on the floor tiles it gave the room a contemporary yet nostalgic charm.

Brock leans forward in the shower, leaning his arms against the wall as he lets the water wash over his neck, dripping down over his eyes and nose. He takes a deep breath. He'd almost forgotten that feeling. Aside from the fact that he'd promised himself to never go down that path again, he had to admit that it did feel good. That warm feeling, that was pumped out in his entire body with every heartbeat. That childish need for physical contact. But no. He couldn't do this. Not with her. Not with Calleigh. He's 26 years older than her, old compared to her. Though he was in good physical shape, he was still older than her. A lot older. After he took his therapist's advice to work out more to clear his head, his workout routine had become his safe place. A place where he didn’t have to think about Iraq or Afghanistan or Taylor. Just thinking about her name makes him feel cold. Calleigh, he thinks for himself. Calleigh with the gemstone eyes and perfect lips. Calleigh with the soft skin he felt when his fingers brushed over her palm. Calleigh… Yeah, Calleigh’s better. Calleigh’s definitely better. Fuck, what is he doing?

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

Calleigh looks between the knee-length tights and the white cotton shorts, weighing her options. The tights that cover more of her body or the comfortable shorts that's more suitable for this weather. God, this is just stupid. And why would Brock care anyway? Why does she care? Since when did what she wore around Brock become an issue? Opting for the shorts, she rolls her eyes at herself and her teenage-like thinking. The shorts fit better with the top anyway, and for some reason it feels important to look good right now.

After meticulously applying her make-up, Calleigh takes a good long look in the mirror. Her white shirt, with the blue and white butterfly pattern on the front sits perfectly on her body, hugging what's supposed to be hugged. Well, more like what's there to actually be hugged. Pouting a bit to her reflection and shaking her head at herself, she turns around checking if everything is in its right place. The straps on her bra are visible due to the shirts open back. After a few unsuccessful attempts trying to fix that issue, Calleigh gives up. Visible straps are better than a bikini anyway. No poolside relaxing today, there's no way she'll be strolling around in a tiny bikini with Brock around.

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

The red light that indicates that the oven has reached its wanted temperature turns off, and Calleigh places the two pies into the oven. Thankful that Brock wasn't done upstairs yet. Those feelings she gets when he's around. They're… Calleigh doesn't even have the words to describe them. Sure she's been in love before, or at least smittened. She even had boyfriends, not too many or to long lasting, but still. But the feeling never lasted. And it was never like this. That feeling of her stomach doing gymnastics inside of her. What is that? Looking at the pies warming in the oven. Calleigh tries to make some sense out of all these emotions.

“Wouldn't it be funnier to… I don't know, watch a movie or something?” The voice suddenly talking over Calleigh's head startles her to the point where she hastily stands up. Banging her head into Brock's chin. “Ouch” Brock breathes out as he lets his hand glide over his chin.

“Oh, God,” Calleigh replies. Her expression is a mix of embarrassment and guilt. “I'm so sorry. Are you okay?” She continues, and without realizing that she does she lifts her arm to touch him where they collided. His rugged facial hair tickles her fingers as she carefully let them glide over his chin.

“I gotta say that your self-defense technique is a little unorthodox,” Brock smiles. “But it works, it definitely works,” he continues. The feeling he gets from Calleigh's touch is unlike anything he's ever felt before. A mix of excitement, guilt and that warm feeling spreading throughout his body.

Calleigh can't help but laugh. Brock always used to be funny, kinda like the cool uncle she never had since both her parents were an only child. She can remember millions of times when she was younger. Brock taking her to amusement parks, Brock dressing up as various animals or superheroes for her birthday parties, Brock letting her ride shotgun with him, even though Jack had told him not to. But for some reason the funny he shows her now, that funny feels different.

Suddenly realizing she's still touching him, Calleigh reatracts her hand, covering it with the other hand as she gives Brock an apologetic smile. What's gotten into her? Why does she feel like this around him all of a sudden?

“Is your head alright?” Brock asks, almost instantly regretting his poor choice of words. “From the… err.. bump,” he adds, when he sees the confusion on Calleigh's face. He lifts his hand, and carefully lets it glide over her head.

“Yeah”, Calleigh breathes out as she once again meets Brock's eyes. “I'm…” she continues, as Brock's hand glides down to her neck before stopping on her shoulder. “Good..” Whispering the last word so low that she's not sure Brock even hears it. It's definitely a connection between them. Or is it? Is she fooling herself? And if that's the case, then why?

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

The evening goes on. With Apple pies, ice cream, a movie on TV and a phone call from a worried Jack.

Mrs. Callahan had called him, and told him about the police being at the house. No surprise there. After about 14 failed attempts to call Calleigh, Jack had resolved to call Brock. Overprotective as he was, he was worried out of his mind. Before Brock explained how everything really went down, Jack was like two seconds away from jumping on the first flight back home. But after some discussion back and forth Brock had told him that he'd stay with Calleigh for the duration of Jack's stay in Chicago. For Calleigh, Jack's overprotectiveness in this situation was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing since this meant that she could spend some more time with Brock, and a curse for that exact same reason.

•─────────•°•❀•°•─────────•

After getting ready for bed, and before she turns off the lights, Calleigh sends a message in the group chat she shares with Molly and Jess.

‘Call me ASAP. I need to talk.’

No matter if there's a connection there or not, Calleigh needs to talk to someone about this. It's way too heavy to carry by herself. And what better people to talk to, than her two best friends.

Next Chapter ------->

@nekoannie-chan @rip1009 @late-to-the-party-81 @ladysif8

[randmsapphic]

So I go reminded that this screen was a thing today cause I got new furniture today, and its such a neat look what arknights devs saw as the core original factions on release. I just kinda wanted to go through and see how much these factions have gotten story wise. Putting it under keep reading just cause it got long.

Followers: Nearl got her story told but shining and nightingale are just kinda waiting for there moment in the main story and only have gotten snippets.

Glasgow: Siege is pretty much the mc of the victoria arc, and as a whole they've gotten a solid amount.

PL: Kinda shockingly they've only gotten cob and IS for texas's story, and sora's character. Exu has gotten a fair amount of teasers she'll play a role in laterano later, but for what has felt like the most marketed faction they've actually been pretty tame with them.

Lungmen: honestly a weird place where they've gotten a fair amount of story but some like hoshi feel sorta neglected.

BS: No event on global but one on CN and they've gotten a manga. Probably more to come as well.

AH: two anni events sorta grani's event and a fair amount of focus in IS3 with a lot more story set up. Even though they have been put on the back burner by hg.

Rhine: some nodes in maggies event sorta mansfield, dorothy's event, and the 2nd longest story event in lone trail. Though some like Ifrit haven't really got much story focus yet

Karlan: Two normal events which feels oddly tame for how popular a group they are.

USSG: One mini event and leto. Poor baby bears the neglected of the original factions, at least there mom loves them at least.

I don't really have any thoughts besides "please give shiningale and ussg stories hg" I just kinda wanted to go a break down of it since I found it neat, and cause I'm procrastinating on a paper.