Chapter Text
Waking up, going to work, studying, going to class, sleep. This was Isabel’s daily routine, and she had to complete it every day if she was to keep her scholarship and continue her studies. But between the constant motion, she found small moments for herself. No extra shifts she picked up, assignments for the week all done, and still enough time before bed for her to watch one episode of her favorite show, Bridgerton.
A well-deserved treat after having to deal with the entitlement of customers at her cafe job, and her over-critical professors at her college. Seriously, the one semester that she had to put all on the line, she gets the professors who take pride in never giving out 100s. But that doesn’t matter right now. In this moment, wrapped up in a blanket, skin care done, ice cream in hand, and rewatching the first episode of Bridgerton is all she needs to keep pushing through.
When Bridgerton first came out, Isabel fell in love. She’s always loved period pieces, and this show fit the bill of what she wanted. She watched the promotions, interviews, talk shows, and more just for the moment to last. That was six years ago, but she still gets the same feeling no matter how many times she’s rewatched it.
As she’s about to press play, her phone dings. A text from her roommate,
I’m staying at someone’s place tonight, don’t wait up! Goodnight!
This night could not get better. As the first episode began, she let herself be drawn into the scenes before her.
“Dearest Gentle Reader…”
The words that started it all. Isabel had gone on a few dates, but none of them were fulfilling. The guys were too superficial, misogynistic, or just cruel. She’s never gone on a second date. Some tell her she’s too strict and she’s getting in her own way of an actual relationship. But if the man shows red flags on the first date, why should she expect the relationship to succeed? Why waste time and energy trying to change someone? Especially when she’d come out losing more than the man. She’s seen it too many times in her friends, even her family, to know it’s true. So she doesn’t take chances and cuts them off. Maybe she is too picky, but it’s better to be picky than to settle and be miserable.
Another reason to love period pieces, they show the yearning that she wants to experience. To have someone notice the small things, to remember the mundane conversations, to laugh with, to share a life with, to be loved. It seems more and more unreachable as the years pass, but she’ll be alright. She’s gotten this far without a relationship; it’s not like she needs one to keep living. So, she knows she’ll be just fine.
No time to think about that, not while she’s watching as Daphne is being presented to the queen, becoming the diamond of the season. Just waiting for Simon to come into the picture. The enemies-to-friends-to lovers, with a dash of miscommunication.
Unfortunately, she can’t keep her full focus on the scene, not with a headache starting to grow. Keeping up with her routine has started taking a toll on her. She’s trying to get as much rest as she can, but there aren’t enough hours in the day. She fends the headaches off with some painkillers, but this one seems to be stubborn. She takes some more. What damage can it do? The most is put her to sleep; she needs it anyway.
She settles back down again after taking the painkillers. Her eyes become heavier, her head nodding as she tries to fight the effects, wanting to watch more of her favorite show. To enjoy the few hours she gets to herself every month or so. But she can’t fight her exhaustion as it takes over her. Her chest rises and falls slowly as she sleeps.
She feels herself falling deeper and deeper, until her body goes still as the first episode of Bridgerton ends in the background.