Crashing In: Baby Doll

By Marilyn Shae

Isabella Rey and Kaska Greyland quickly became best friends when Isabella moved to America to be with her Lola at the age of ten.

Raised by her single dad, Kaska Greyland was always the perfect student. Having a strained relationship with her mother, who believes high-end fashion is only for skinny women, Kaska sets out to be a famous fashion designer.

Isabella Rey grew up in a home that wasn't so sweet. She vows to be a fantastic photographer. Determined to make their dreams come true, the girls attend the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Unbeknownst to them, their dreams were far away. Finals day in January of 04' changed their lives forever as a tragedy introduced them to two mysterious men.

Navigating through the romance and drama, can they have their cake and eat it too, or is it all too much?

 

Trigger warning, some scenes may be too graphic or upsetting to some viewers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marilyn Shae
• Release date: Dec 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215112830

Book preview

Chapter 1

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11 p.m. on a Sunday night in an all-girls dormitory at Fashion Institute of Technology or F.I.T. for short. Isabella woke up in the middle of the night.

How are you still drawing? Isabella

asked, hovering over Kaska as she drew designs.

Kaska covered her papers with her hands.

Hey! No peeking. This is for my final tomorrow; I can't flunk this stupid class, and I swear Mr. Young definitely wants to see me fail, Izzy. Kaska whined, attempting to put her very thick curls in a ponytail.

Isabella laughs, walking into the bathroom and adjusting her bumblebee pajama shorts.

The floor is cold on the bottom of her feet. She looks around the bathroom for the wooden brush. Found it.

What did you say?! Kaska yells from inside the other room.

Nothing, I just found the brush, Isabel yells back, grabbing a cup of water.

She sneaks back into the room, tiptoeing behind Kaska.

Kaska quickly turns around. What are you doing with that weaponry?

Izzy laughs. I highly doubt a brush and some water constitutes weaponry. I'm just gonna brush your hair because you clearly cannot.

Kaska laughs. Oh, go right ahead because my hair is getting in the way of my work.

Isabel dips the brush in a mixture of water and hair grease; she then begins to brush her friend's hair softly, gliding it into a curly ponytail.

You know I have fun doing your hair. I could be your permanent hair stylist, Isabella laughed, twisting her waist-length hair in a high bun. Now, hurry up with your designs because we have classes early tomorrow.

Kaska sighs, Fine, let me just give my dad a quick call.

Where is old Greyland anyway?

He went to visit my mum; I think she's coming to America for my graduation; I hope they don't fight the entire time.

My parents are coming down as well. See their little baby make it in the big U.S. of A

Kaska laughs, Or are they just happy to get out of Canada for a few days?

A little of both, I guess; my grandmother is even visiting from Cuba. So, we are gonna have the whole gang at this graduation, she says, plopping on the bed.

Kaska puts her designs in her folder. I bet. What about your grandfather?

From the Philippines?! Girl, please! Hells no.

Kaska closes the bathroom door. It was just a question.

Kaska opens her phone and begins to dial her father's number.

He picks up after the third ring, Kasie?

Hey, dad, you sleep or something?

Not really, no. Are you done studying?

Yeah, just about. I just wanted to call and say goodnight; I love you Kaska smiles, leaning on the sink.

I love you too, Kasie; get some rest.

Kaska hangs up the phone and heads to her top bunk, Night, Izzy.

Chapter 2

––––––––

Kaska wakes up abruptly to the sound of her bird alarm.

I will never get used to that thing, she said aloud to herself.

Izzy peeks her head in from the bathroom with a toothbrush in hand huh?

Why didn't you wake me up?! She yells, flinging the blankets violently onto the floor.

Izzy laughs as she brushes her hair, Girl, it's only 5; I changed your alarm for 2 hours earlier. So, thank me later and get dressed.

Kaska sighs, relaxing her body and staring at the ceiling.

5am is way too early for me. You know I cannot function...just period cannot function.

Izzy's laugh echoes throughout the room, Bitch please, get your ass up. It is time to get ready for school.

Kaska glances in the direction of the bathroom, catching a glimpse of Izzy applying her makeup.

I'm not as effortlessly beautiful without my 2-hour head start, Izzy says.

Kas scoffs, rolling her eyes, You don't need makeup. You're an absolute baddie!

She smiles, walking out of the bathroom, I don't wear it because I need it. It's an adornment. I do it because it's an art that makes me feel happy. Like your clothing designs, now get up and get ready. You didn't even sleep in your bonnet. I have to redo your hair, so hurry up.

Kasie jumped off the top bunk, giving Izzy a once-over. She wears low-rise jeans, platform sandals, and a tank top with a long flannel jacket over it. Her hair in a long braid out of her face to show off her fancy eye makeup.

Snowflakes? I like, she says, admiring Izzy's eyeshadow and a snowman on her cheek.

Not too much? I get looked at weirdly enough, but in a few years, this will be all of the rage...hopefully, she laughs, revealing her perfect teeth.

Kasie sighs, walking into the bathroom, quickly taking a shower.

I'll be out soon, she yells, looking at herself in the mirror.

She looked at the two outfits she had picked out for her finals. Finally, she decided on an oversized sweater and leggings, This will have to do. Hey Izzy, can you give me a braid like you?

Izzy opened the bathroom door, Why are you dressed like we are going to the gym? We are supposed to be the Destiny’s Child of this school.

With only two people? Who can't even sing Kaska laughs, holding her chest, As if babes.

Girl, we can be Beyonce and Kelly Rowland, Izzy smiles while putting Kasie's shoulder-length curls in a ponytail and then braiding the ponytail. Unfortunately, it didn't look as lovely as Isabella's ponytail, and Kaska knew that.

Are you sure you don't want more of a Kelis-inspired style? You guys have the same hair.

No, I'm okay. I know what you're thinking... I am proud of my curls...it's just a lot of maintenance; you wouldn't understand. No offense

Izzy backed up, smiling, I totally get babes; my mom is a curly girl. Let's just head to class so we can stop for coffee.

Kasie grabbed her bag and portfolio, following Izzy, wondering if she hurt her friend's feelings.

Hey Bey' maybe we can be our little version of Destiny’s Child she smiles, catching up to her friend after locking their apartment door.

Ahhh, she yelled, grabbing Kaska's hand, I knew you'd come around. We are gonna take the world by storm with your designing skills and my makeup ability, she swooned, talking with her hands.

Kaska nodded, just happy to see the brightness back in her friend's face.

Chapter 3

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They exited the coffee shop with two men hot on their step.

Dude, seriously, buzz the fuck off, Isabella cringed, Can you believe this?

Kaska looked behind them, Nope, I have a whole final. No time for these guys.

Damn, slow down, one guy said.

Come on, let's try to jet across the street, Izzy laughs, running into traffic while holding her hand. Cars honk at them as they run; Izzy feels a jerk causing her to fall backward. She turns around to see Kas' on the ground. A car has completely run her over. Cars stop in their tracks to view what's going on. People on the sidewalks come closer to see if she's dead or alive. Izzy is stunned; she scraped her knee, crawling over to her best friend. Kaska's arm is clearly out of its socket.

Did this happen from holding on to me so tightly while being hit? Isabella wonders. Kas's other hand was holding her stomach; her legs looked broken and bloody. Izzy touches Kas' legs, and Kas groans in pain. She wipes her brow and rubs the blood from her hands onto her pants. Her eyes slowly begin to close. Izzy starts to panic.

Kaska...KASKA...KAS. Call 911, someone please, she yells, noticing all the papers flying around in the cold January wind. The guy ran into the coffee shop to call the ambulance while Izzy held onto her friend.

I'm so sorry; why did you girls run into traffic like that? I didn't even see her, the driver pleaded.

Isabella couldn't see through her tears.

She just held onto her bleeding friend, So what?! This is Manhattan; we jaywalk! We don't get hit by cars, you ass. You saw me, how come you didn't notice my friend? I swear if she dies. Stay with me, Kas.

My final...Izz, Kas tried to say before spitting up blood. Izzy cups Kaska's face, nodding, before looking around again.

Where are the ambulance? It's 2004, not 1930. What the fuck is taking them so long. My friend is dying, she cries.

Make way, make way; the EMTs are here, someone yelled in the distance. They quickly took over the scene urging Isabella to back up.

I want to go with her. I have to call her father. Let me go with her, Izzy cried, wiping the blood on her pants, Please, she said, grabbing the arm of a tall, broad shoulder EMT.

Uhm...are you family? He asked.

Yes, I'm her sister, she lies.

He pulls her into the ambulance, Let's go.

Minutes later, at the hospital, Isabella made some important calls. She glanced up from her chair to see the EMT that let her ride with them.

Hey! She stood, grabbing the man's arm.

You're sure grabby, he smiles, turning around to see Isabella tear-stained and still in bloodied clothing.

The smile that he wore disappeared fast.

Do you have someone to wait with you here? Until she is out of surgery?

Izzy looks down, stuttering, uh n-no, I'm all alone.

I'm just about off my shift. I did the overnight. Would you like me to stay with you until your family comes? He frowned.

Isabella looked deeply into this man's brown eyes, looking for why he'd wanna wait with her in a hospital waiting room, a total stranger.

Sure, if you're not too busy. I- I, Isabella began to cry again, I'm so sorry, she says, covering her face.

The EMT shook his head, giving her a hug, You're fine; I see people cry all the time on the job.

What? She thought, looking up at him.

He chuckles, I mean, like it's okay if you're feeling vulnerable, I'm trained to handle it. Nice save, he thought.

Oh. I just wanted to say thank you, you know, for letting me in the ambulance even-

Of course, she's your sister, he winked.

You knew?

Yes, I knew. I won't tell anyone, though, The EMT smiled, putting his finger over his lip in the shushing motion, So tell me what happened?

Isabella began revealing the entire story to this EMT, So that's what happened. It's all my fault.

Well, yeah, but drivers should also pay attention. What about her parents?

Her mother isn't in this country, and her father is on his way. I just know he will blame me; she missed her final, and this is our last semester.

Of? He questioned.

College, we are college students. Oh my god, I am horrible; I don't even know your name Mr. EMT man.

He chuckled.

Isabella's eyes, finally clear of tears, took a good look at her deep-voiced EMT man; His eyes are a honey brown which popped out against his hazelnut skin tone. His hair was cut low, but you could tell it grew out into soft curls. He sported a goatee, and his abs were apparent even while dressed head to toe in uniform. He's sexy, mysterious, and smells terrific.

My name is Darryl CasaRosa, he winks.

CasaRosa? She questions with her finger to her chin.

He laughs, touching his head. Yeah, when my mom married, she changed all our names. She said we are a unit now; we must sound the part.

Izzy crossed her legs, Darryl's smile sent shivers down her spine, and she couldn't tell why.

Are you cold? He asked, breaking her train of thought.

Maybe? Sorry, no. I just wish my friend would wake up.

She will, uhm, I gotta take this call, he says, standing up and walking away.

Izzy took that as her chance to ask the doctor about the surgery; Kaska's father walked in just then.

Chapter 4

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He looks bewildered, bright green eyes darting around. He stands at 6'4, a handsome older gentleman.

"Sir?'' Izzy waves.

He rushes toward Izzy towering over her effortlessly, Izzy, it's you. Is she okay? He says voice cracking ever so slightly.

She's in surgery; I was just asking the nurse if she knows any; can I get you something? You look like you ran here. Izzy responds, noticing how disheveled Mr. Grayland’s clothes were.

His socks were mismatched even at different lengths, he wore shorts even though it was 10 degrees outside, his shirt was barely tucked in, and his hair looked wild. Nevertheless, she could tell he wasted no time coming to his daughter's aide.

Isabella smiles as she watches Mr. Greyland completely ignore her request to get him something warm to drink. She watches as he studies the nurse informing him it could be another few hours. Izzy begins to walk away to find a vending machine.

Hey, sorry my call ran long. Were you coming to find me? Darryl grins, stopping her in her tracks on her way to the tea station.

No, sorry to burst your bubble, '' she snorts. Mr. Greyland is here, Kaska's father. I am just getting him some hot tea. He looks really stressed out, understandably, of course."

Yes, of course. Can I come with?

Izzy looks into Darryl's eyes, Uh, sure. I don't see why not. It's a free country.

Darryl stops dead in his tracks. Are you okay?

What do you mean? She responds, turning around.

Nothing, you just seem a little snippy since I left and came back.

She sighs. Sorry, I don't mean to snap at you. I'm just worried about Kas.

Darryl continues to walk, nodding.

When they returned from the tea station, Mr. Greyland sat rolling his eyes while in a heated, hushed conversation.

Sorry, sir, here is your tea, Izzy hands him his tea, sitting 3 seats away with Darryl. I think that's Kaska's mother he is talking to.

Darryl nodded, sipping his tea.

Why?

Well, he looks upset, and Kas told me her parents don't really like each other. Especially when she refused to leave her country to come here.

Darryl smirked, I see.

Izzy let out her first laugh since the incident. You're kind of cute, you know that? Your voice is perfect for playing that deep-voiced bad boy on a TV show. The girls would swoon.

Oh yeah? Are you swooning, Izzy? He teases, raising one eyebrow slightly.

Izzy straightens up, not expecting that kind of response, Ha! No, I am not swooning, Darryl. I see you know my name.

Yeah, no thanks to you. I heard someone say it.

Hm, well, yes, my name is Isabella Rey. I am Canadian, as you probably figured out.

He smirked, I didn't figure that at all; you look sort of Asian and also sort of black.

I'm an East-Asian Caribbean Canadian; sounds long, right? She laughs, And you are? Just American?

Nah, I'm an East-Asian Caribbean Canadian as well, Darryl laughs.

Izzy chokes on her tea, sending it down the wrong pipe. Darryl immediately starts to pat her back. Damn, babe, I was just kidding. You almost killed yourself.

Water filling in her eyes, she put her thumb up. Real funny, she choked one final time before wiping her eyes.

I'm sorry, I just thought you'd laugh, not choke. I'm just American, yes.

She nodded, still trying to regain her composure; she saw a slightly familiar face as she looked around.

WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE? She screamed, running.

Chapter 5

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The man shot up, backing himself into a corner while watching Izzy rush towards him before being encased in Darryl's embrace.

I'm sorry, sir. Izzy, what the hell?

Get off of me. This is the guy that hit my friend. The reason we are here, Isabella rages.

Mr. Greyland stood boring holes into the man's soul. Then, with one swift motion, he attacked the man. Letting Izzy go, Darryl rushed to get Mr. Greyland off this poor man, the security behind him. Izzy starts to cry again, sliding down to the floor. Darryl turned to face her, picking her up, Isabella, look at me; stop crying.

She could barely hear anything Darryl was saying to her as she held her chest, hyperventilating and wheezing.

Darryl grabs a nurse, She's having an anxiety attack. Bel, look, they are gonna take care of you. I gotta go help Kaska's dad.

Izzy nodded.

Did he just call me BEL?! she thought.

The nurses picked Izzy up and placed her on a stretcher; Izzy felt disoriented. She looked around, wondering, I don't need a doctor. I feel fine; what is going on? They proceed to bring her to a room.

You seem to be dehydrated. Let's get her on some fluids, please, A tall, slender nurse says to the short, thick one.

Izzy rolls her eyes. I guess; where's Darryl?

Miss Bel, please don't move. She warns, trying to put the IV in Izzy's arm.

Isabella lays back, sighing, looking at the bright fluorescent lights. The room is a lovely baby blue and smells of old people. She turns to the right to see the pink and blue separation curtain open a little. A little old lady with flushed skin and red cheeks in bed with an oxygen mask on, her gray hair cascading on her pillow as she slept silently.

Izzy turned her attention back to the struggling, the now red-ear young nurse who had already poked her 3 times trying to find a vein.

Do you need help? Izzy whispers, not wanting to disturb the lady next to her.

No, Bel, it's okay. This is just my first time. I'm sorry, this is very embarrassing.

Izzy snorts, Oh, no worries, take your time. My name is Isabella Rey, though, not Bel.

Oh, your boyfriend called you that, so I just tho- she sighs, her face turning just as red as her ears.

You thought wrong. So don't call me that; thanks, Isabella smiles, touching the nurse's hand with her free one.

She smiles in response, her face returning to its natural shade.

The squirrely nurse was finally able to get the IV in.

Thank you for your patience, Isabella Rey. she bows, her long brown hair going over her face and glasses falling to the floor.

She quickly picks them up and laughs. Sorry again, she whispers, speed walking out of the room.

Izzy decided to take a nap while she waited for news on Kaska.

Hours passed while Darryl worked hard to convince security that Mr. Greyland would behave, so they should allow him back in the hospital. Thank you, son.

No problem, Mr... Darryl trails off.

Call me Stan, He smiles before walking to a doctor.

Darryl checked the time. It's 6 am. He spent his entire night in this hospital. He walked over to the nurse station before he could even speak. She spoke.

Darryl, why are you still here?

Why do you care? He smirks.

She scoffed, "I don't, I just don't understand. You were here