#coastal cowplant jolgen2

[coastalcowplant]

Introducing little Rigatoni 🍝🤍

Madeleine was feeling alone in the house, so she adopted this beagle baby 🥹

Rigatoni Conley

puppy

traits: loyal, vocal, playful

I need someone to look at me the way Rigatoni looks at Madeleine

[coastalcowplant]

Uncertain Future…☁️

At first, I threw myself into everything—school, work, cooking—anything to fill the silence he left behind. I told myself I needed to focus anyway, that I’d been doing the right thing all along. But the more time passed, the more I started to wonder… was he right?

I used to think I could balance it all: my dreams, my ambitions, and a relationship. But maybe I wasn’t balancing anything. Maybe I was just pushing Elian aside, convincing myself it was temporary. That he’d always wait.

He called himself an afterthought, and the worst part is… he wasn’t wrong. I didn’t mean to make him feel that way, but I see it now. In my mind, everything I was doing was for the future—our future. But what’s the point of building something for us if I never made time for us in the present?

I miss him. His smile, his patience, the way he always supported me—even when I didn’t deserve it. But maybe he needed more than support in return. Maybe he needed someone who could truly make space for him, and I wasn’t that person.

And now, I’m starting to wonder if he’s better off without me. If I’m better off this way too. Focusing on my goals has felt… easier without the guilt of letting him down. Does that make me selfish? Or does it just mean he was right all along..?

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[coastalcowplant]

Halfway through culinary school, and everything feels like it’s finally falling into place 👩🏼‍🍳🤍

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The perfect moment finally found them💋

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[coastalcowplant]

Distractions 🪻

Bianca: Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, or should I guess?

Madeleine: It’s just… everything with Elian. I know breaking up was the right thing to do, but I feel awful. He was a good guy, you know? He didn’t deserve to get hurt.

Bianca: Feeling bad doesn’t mean you were wrong. You can care about someone and still know they’re not the one for you.

Madeleine: I know that in my head, but it still feels… selfish. Like, I chose my career and my future over him.

Bianca: And why shouldn’t you? You have every right to build the life you want. Elian’s a grown man—he’ll figure it out.

Madeleine: You make it sound so simple.

Bianca: Because it is. You don’t owe anyone your happiness, Madeleine. You’re allowed to put yourself first.

Bianca: You know what you need?

Madeleine: Enlighten me.

Bianca: A distraction. Something fun. Something not Elian. And lucky for you, I happen to know just the thing.

Madeleine: Uh-oh…

Bianca: No no—just fun. You should go on a date with my brother, Matteo.

Madeleine: Your brother? Bianca, come on.

Bianca: What? He’s handsome, charming, and, most importantly, not looking for anything serious. It’s perfect. You both get to have a good time, no strings attached.

Madeleine: I don’t know… I haven’t even thought about dating since Elian.

Bianca: Exactly. This isn’t about ‘dating.’ It’s one night. No pressure, no expectations. Just two people enjoying dinner and maybe a little harmless flirting.

Madeleine: I guess it couldn’t hurt…

Bianca: That’s the spirit! I’ll talk to Matteo. Trust me, you’ll have a great time.

Madeleine: Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?

Bianca: Because you overthink everything. Relax—it’s just one night. What’s the worst that could happen?

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[coastalcowplant]

Milestone Unlocked ❤️🔒

Madeleine had grown weary of casual dating. She was ready for something deeper, something lasting. Am I?

One afternoon, as she and Elian sat side by side on the couch, a comfortable silence settled between them. Madeleine found herself lost in his eyes, feeling the weight of the moment.

Madeleine: Elian?

Elian: Yes love?

Her heart was pounding in her chest… His gaze never left hers.

Madeleine: What are we?

Elian’s lips curled into a sly yet almost disappointed smile, something Madeleine noticed immediately.

Elian: I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that—

Madeleine: —why? Are you not—

Before she could finish, Elian gently placed his hand on her cheek, silencing her. His touch sent a warm shiver down her spine.

Elian: I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that until Saturday. . . I was planning to ask you to be my girlfriend at dinner.

He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before grinning. Madeleine’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at her lips.

Madeleine: Oh Elian, just ask me now!

With a mischievous gleam in his eye, Elian took a deep breath, his voice low and sincere.

Elian: Madeleine Conley, would you like to be my girlfriend?

Madeleine: Yes, Elian! Of course, yes!

The moment felt electric, and for the first time in a long while, Madeleine knew that this was just the beginning of something real.

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Breaking Apart 💔

Elian: Thanks for letting me stop by. I wasn’t sure if you’d want to talk. How have you been?

Madeleine: Busy. You know how it is—classes, work. It’s been keeping me occupied.

Elian: Yeah, I know. It’s been strange, though. Not having you around… Madeleine, I’ve been thinking a lot about us. I know I was the one who said we needed a break, but… I miss you. I think we can figure this out—if you still want to.

Madeleine: I’ve been thinking too. A lot, actually. And I don’t think I realized it at the time, but… you were right. About everything.

Elian : What do you mean?

Madeleine: I mean, you were right to say we needed space. These past couple of weeks, I’ve been focusing on myself—on what I really want. And as much as I care about you, I’ve realized… I don’t think I can give you what you deserve right now.

Elian: So that’s it? You’ve already decided?

Madeleine: I have. And it’s not because I don’t love you—I do. But I can’t keep asking you to wait for me while I figure myself out. It’s not fair to either of us.

Elian: I thought we were building a life together.”

Madeleine: I thought so too. But right now, I think we’re just holding each other back. I need to focus on who I am and what I want. And you… you deserve someone who can give you the attention and love you need without hesitation.

Elian: I get that you’ve been busy, but… don’t you think we’re worth fighting for?

Madeleine: This isn’t about not fighting. It’s about realizing what I need right now. I can’t give you what you’re asking for.

Elian: That’s just it—you won’t. You’ve buried yourself in work, in school, in everything but us. It’s like you’ve already decided I’m not part of your future.

Madeleine: Because I have decided, Elian… I’ve spent the past couple of weeks trying to be honest with myself, and I can’t keep pretending that I can balance everything. I can’t keep putting my dreams on hold.

Elian: And what about my dreams, huh? What about what we were building together? Does that just mean nothing to you now?

Madeleine: It’s not that simple. You think I don’t care? I do! But staying together when I know I’m not in the right place for this—it’s not fair to you. Or to me.

Elian: What’s not fair is you making this decision without even giving us a chance to fix things. You’re throwing everything away because it’s easier than trying!

Madeleine: Easier? Do you think this is easy for me? This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, Elian. But I know it’s the right one. For both of us.

Elian: You’re wrong. You don’t get to decide what’s right for me.

Madeleine: Maybe not. But I can decide what’s right for me. And this… isn’t it.

Elian: I guess there’s nothing left to say, then.

Madeleine: I guess not.

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[coastalcowplant]

Every chef needs a signature dish👩🏼‍🍳

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[coastalcowplant]

Putting things on pause

Madeleine: Love, can you give me just a second? I need to check my email before we leave. I think my professor might’ve sent feedback on my project draft.

Elian: Madeleine, really? Can’t it wait until after dinner? We’ve been planning this night for weeks.

Madeleine: I know, but it’s important. This project could make or break my grade, and I can’t afford to miss anything.

Elian: It’s always something with school, isn’t it? An assignment, a project, a deadline. I thought tonight was supposed to be about us for once.

Madeleine: It’s not like I’m trying to ruin the evening. I’m just trying to stay on top of things. You know how much this means to me.

Elian: I do, Madeleine. I know how much it means to you. What I don’t know is where I fit into all of this anymore.

Madeleine: What are you talking about? You’re here, with me, supporting me—just like always.

Elian: (exhaling sharply) Am I, though? Because it doesn’t feel like it. Lately, I feel like I’m just… here, waiting for you to have time for me. For us. And I’m tired of feeling like an afterthought.

Madeleine: That’s not fair, Elian. You know how hard I’m working. I’m not putting you last—I’m just trying to build a future for both of us.

Elian: But what if I’m not in that future? What if I’m just holding you back from what you really want?

This caught Madeleine off guard, her feelings of defensiveness dropped away as she stepped forward with a softer voice, reaching for Elian’s arm.

Madeleine: Love, don’t say that. You’re not holding me back.

Elian pulled his arm away, leaving Madeleine feeling stunned.

Elian: Maybe not. But it feels like I’m just… in your way. I think… I think we need to take a break, Madeleine. Maybe you need the space to figure out what you really want.

Madeleine: A break? You’re serious?”

Elian: I am. I can’t keep doing this—waiting for scraps of your time and pretending it’s enough. I love you, but I think you need to focus on what matters to you right now. And maybe I need to do the same.

She stood there blinking back tears.

Madeleine: Elian… I didn’t mean for it to get to this point.

Elian: Neither did I. But here we are…

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[coastalcowplant]

Second Guesses…

I love Elian—I really do. He’s been my rock here, the one person who understands me. But sometimes, it feels like he doesn’t see how much this matters to me. My dreams, my future… they’re not just for me. I’m doing this for us, for the life I want to build. So why does it feel like I’m being selfish?

It’s not that I don’t want him in my life—I do. But every time we have these conversations, it’s like there’s this invisible weight pulling me down. Like I have to choose between chasing what I want and keeping us together. And that’s not fair. Why can’t he see that I’m trying to balance both?

Maybe he feels left behind, but what am I supposed to do? Slow down? Give up everything I’ve worked for? I can’t do that. I won’t. I just wish he could see that this isn’t about him—it’s about me proving to myself that I can do this. Is it so wrong? Is it wrong to want him to understand without feeling like I’m sacrificing part of myself?

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[coastalcowplant]

Even paradise has its rainy days 🌧️

Elian: Hey, Madeleine, can we talk for a minute?

Madeleine glanced up from her laptop, clearly distracted by her work.

Madeleine: Can it wait? I’m working on my assignment—the deadline’s coming up.

Elian: That’s kind of what I wanted to talk about. You’re always working on something lately. School, your plans, your future. It’s like… you don’t have time for us anymore.

She finally looked over from her computer, a nervous frown coming across her face.

Madeleine: That’s not fair, Elian. You know how important this is to me. I’m trying to build something for myself. For us.

Elian leaned forward and softened his voice.

Elian: I get that. I really do. But when’s the last time we actually spent time together? Just you and me? I feel like I’m not even part of your world anymore.

Madeleine: That’s not true. You’re still a part of my life, Elian. But I can’t just drop everything because you feel ignored. I’m doing this so I can have a future I’m proud of.

Hurt flickered in his gaze, and Elian paused before speaking again as if to reconsider what he was going to say.

Elian: And what about us? Do we fit into that future you’re working so hard for? Or am I just… something you’ll get to when you have the time?

Madeleine: You’re not just something I’ll ‘get to.’ You’re important to me. But I can’t slow down right now, Elian. This is my chance to prove I can do this.

Elian: I just wish I didn’t feel like an afterthought.

Madeleine: You’re not. I’m sorry if it feels that way. I’m trying to balance everything, and maybe… maybe I haven’t done the best job of that.

Elian: I don’t want to hold you back, Madeleine. I just want to know we’re still in this together.

Madeleine: We are. I promise. But I need you to understand… this isn’t about shutting you out. It’s about building a life I can be proud of—with you in it.”

Elian: Okay. I’ll try to understand. But you have to meet me halfway, Madeleine.

Madeleine: I’ll try. I promise.

I love him—of course I do. But why does it feel like I’m being pulled in two directions? I’m not trying to shut him out; I’m trying to build something for myself, for us. Can’t he see that?

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[coastalcowplant]

Madeleine & Elian 🤍

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[coastalcowplant]

Mastering the cooking skill ✔️🍽️

Madeleine had mastered cooking, but her ambitions were just beginning to simmer. Becoming a master chef required more than skill—it demanded a relentless pursuit of excellence. Determined to rise in the culinary world, she set her sights on gourmet cooking, knowing that every class, every dish brought her closer to her dream. The thought thrilled her—she was always hungry for more knowledge, and there was nothing more exciting than discovering the endless possibilities of food.

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[coastalcowplant]

Sunrise jogs in Tartosa ☀️👟

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[coastalcowplant]

A Toast to Friendship 🥂

Even after Charlotte returns to Brindleton Bay, Madeleine and Elian continue to see each other regularly. What started as casual outings quickly become something she looks forward to more and more. Tartosa doesn’t feel quite as foreign with him around—finally, I feels like I have a true connection here.

Elian seems genuinely thrilled to show her around. He lights up when sharing his favorite local spots: the small, tucked-away cafés with the best pastries, the family-owned trattorias where the owners know him by name, and the hidden parks where the view of the ocean is at its most breathtaking. Every outing feels like discovering Tartosa through his eyes—its history, its charm, its beauty.

One evening, Elian excitedly leads Madeleine to a small restaurant tucked between two buildings in the city’s historic district.

Elian: You have to try this place! They make the best seafood stew. My grandmother used to bring me here when I was a kid.

Back at the cottage, their connection deepens as Elian pitches in to help Madeleine transform her new home. He’s surprisingly handy, helping her clear out debris from the overgrown garden, landscaping the front yard, and even painting the living room walls together—each brushstroke a step toward making the space feel like hers. When she gets stumped by tricky repairs, Elian is there with a toolbox and a confident smile, turning what likely would have been frustrating chores into shared projects.

But what they both enjoy most was spending time in the kitchen. Elian loves helping her test out new recipes, offering taste tests and feedback as Madeleine experiments. They spend many afternoons together, laughing as they tried to perfect a new dish, flour dusting their clothes, the warm aroma of spices and sauces filling the small kitchen. Elian sits on the counter, watching her work, always ready to offer an opinion or sneak a taste.

Elian: You could’ve been a chef back in Brindleton Bay!

Elian sneaks a bite of a new pasta dish she’d been perfecting.

Madeleine: I had to leave that to my mom.

She starts reminiscing on her mother’s bakery, telling him stories about the bustling mornings there, the smell of freshly baked bread and cookies filling the air, her siblings racing around trying to help—or just get in the way.

Elian listens intently, always eager to hear more about her life before Tartosa. He asks about her family, her pets, and the small moments that made up her life in Brindleton Bay. It isn’t just polite conversation—he genuinely cares, as if understanding where she comes from helps him understand her.

Over time, Madeleine finds herself opening up in ways she didn’t expect. She’d come to Tartosa to start a new chapter, but with Elian, she realizes she doesn’t have to leave everything behind. His presence makes her feel more grounded, more at home, and even though she hadn’t been looking for anything beyond friendship, there is something unspoken between them that neither is quite ready to name…

Tartosa, once unfamiliar, is beginning to feel like a place she can truly belong—and Elian is a big part of why.

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[coastalcowplant]

Adjusting to Tartosa ☀️

I knew moving here wouldn’t be easy, but I didn’t expect to feel so out of place. Everything about this town is… quieter, slower, like time stretches out differently. It’s beautiful, no doubt—postcard perfect. But sometimes, I feel like an outsider looking in, watching everyone live this relaxed, sun-drenched life while I’m still finding my way.

Working at the restaurant helps. I can lose myself in the rhythm of it all—chopping, stirring, plating. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real. The chefs have this… reverence for food that I’m still trying to grasp. It’s more than just cooking here; it’s tradition, it’s culture. I’m soaking it all in, trying to absorb what I can without feeling like a total novice.

And the classes—oh my Watcher, I wasn’t expecting to be challenged like this. I’ve always been confident in the kitchen, but here… they think differently about food. It’s less about showing off and more about honoring the ingredients, understanding their story. I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m determined to get there.

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever feel like I belong. Everyone here is so… settled. Families that go back generations, neighbors who’ve known each other their whole lives. And then there’s me, the girl from Brindleton Bay trying to carve out a life in a place that feels like a dream I’m not quite part of yet.

But I’ll make it work. I have to. This is what I wanted. A fresh start. A challenge. I’ll prove to myself that I belong here, that I can make something of myself in this little paradise by the sea.

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