Realistic or Modern Never Love A Wild Thing

[Lutalica]

Beck Hollister





It was raining in Hopefield. Each drop tapped on Beck's window as if beckoning her to enter their world. Oh, what she wouldn't give to leave this place. Her foster "parents" were pushing her to the limits. They had standards, and so did Beck, which meant there was constant arguing within the household. Why couldn't it have been like old times? Where nothing stopped her except Beck herself. The time when the wind tossed her hair like nothing else. Where the black asphalt road was the only thing familiar to the dark haired creature. That was the life Beck lived last year, and that was the life she would kill to have once more.


The girl rose herself out of bed and slumped off into the bathroom. Each step made a god-awful squeak in the old floorboards. Beck had grown used to this house, and it had only been a week since they drove into Hopefields Gap, and it had only been a week of being caged like an animal in the Sherman household. Though continuously thinking such depressing thoughts would depress even the likes of Beck, and that took a lot of effort.


After finishing up her morning shower, Beck made her way over to the mirror just above the sink. The girl wiped off the foggy mirror and stared at her reflection for a while. Were mornings really this depressing? Beck obviously needed to get out more. Either that or do something fun with the only person she trusted. Clarence. She gave a soft smile after giving the slightest thought of Clarence. He was the brains of the duo, and he would do anything to make Beck feel safe. By now he would've been unlocking the doors at the café. With a half smile Beck finally got up the courage to get ready for the day considering it had to be dealt with sooner or later.

It was around 9:30 when Beck was finished. As always, she had taken her sweet time considering the inpatient "parents" that were expecting Beck over an hour ago. How long was it going to take until they figured out that the constant yelling wasn't going to make Beck go any faster? She shrugged and straightened her outfit a bit before leaving the comfort of her bedroom. Out of everything she hated in Hopefields Gap during the week that she lived there, she couldn't deny that the bedroom she was staying in beat the backseat of a van any day. After trotting down the stairs, she encountered the anxious Mr. and Mrs. Sherman who were casually standing by the door with car keys in hand and sunglasses on the crown of their heads. "You guys look like you walked out of a brochure for Barbie's Malibu Dreamhouse." Beck replied after rolling her eyes at their attire. Mr. Sherman was wearing one of those idiotic cardigans over his polo shirt, which was extremely typical on a day like this, while Mrs. Sherman insisted on wearing a long hot pink maxi dress with a white belt that rested right smack-dab in the middle of her stomach. "Do you really want to be seen in such, odd clothing, Becka-Ann?" Ugh, the sound of Beck's name was like nails on a chalkboard. It brought back old memories and hurtful scars that she'd rather not think of. "For the last f*cking time, it's Beck. Now, if you two are done scowling over my wardrobe, I'd suggest we get out of here before I show you yours." Beck blurted out as she gave a rude smile. The Shermans stood at the door for a moment in disbelief--as if this behavior wasn't at all normal--and, after a while, finally opened the door to leave.


The drive was worse than what happened in the house. There was constant bickering from all three of them. It was amazing how long Beck tolerated the Sherman's "rules and regulations" that they constantly seemed to shove down both Beck and Clarence's throats when they got out of line. It's one of the major reasons why Clarence had to get a job in the first place. Mrs. Sherman thought getting a job would be beneficial for future circumstances, but Beck thought it was a waste of time. Sadly, she wouldn't be able to get out of this situation. She was being forced to do some community service due to her "attempted assault" charge. Look, in Beck's defense the officer was a b*tch and she was tired of everyone telling her that "time heals all wounds" or "it will get better". It was all just a lie, and they knew it.


The Shermans dropped the delinquent off at the local animal shelter considering Beck had no desire to do anything involving children, people, and most of all, people. She wanted to be alone, and this was the perfect opportunity.

​

 

[SolarLuna21]

*KNOCK, KNOCK*

​

Ava's eyes fluttered open to the sound of her aunt knocking on her door. Ava rolled over as she heard her aunt enter. "Hey sweetie I wanted to come wake you. We have a lot to get done today, So get up, get dressed and come down stairs for breakfast. You know you have to start your day off right with a nice home cooked meal." There was a soft smile on her aunts face. Ava returned a sleepy smile and stretched. Ava's bedroom door shut softly and her smile faded. She looked over at the clock it read 8:00am, "You've got to be f*cking kidding me." Ava threw her head back down into her pillow and watched her fan spin around. Today was the day. The day Ava had dreaded for so long. The day she gets her inheritance. Ava didn't wanna accept the fact that she was getting this. Accepting it meant her parents death was real and not just some nightmare she relived over and over again in her dreams. It had been 5 years since her parents were murdered and just last year they finally sold 'Ava's Place'. That's where she was getting all her money from. Ava rolled over and looked at her night stand that sat next to her balcony. There sat her family picture. She got up and held the picture in her hands as she walked over to the balcony doors. Ava pressed the picture tightly to her chest as she watched the rain drops hit the door that led to the balcony. She softly smiled as she whispered "I love you mom and dad." Ava turned back towards her night stand and set the picture frame down right where she found it. She quickly made her bed and headed towards the bathroom to take a shower.


The mist from Ava's hot shower clung to the mirror. She took her face towel and wiped a little spot clean just to where she could see her face. Ava looked at herself in the mirror. Nothing had changed. She was still the same brunette that had saddened eyes when she moved here. Ava shook her head at her reflection. She just didn't like what she saw anymore. It wasn't like she wasn't pretty because Ava was beautiful. She had been asked to model a couple times but turned them all down. It's just every time Ava looked into a mirror all she could see was her mother. Which they basically were twins. They had the same stunning smile, The same long brunette hair, The same tall and built physic. But her facial features were like her fathers. Here eyes were the same color girl as his, They had the same tiny ears, She even had long gorgeous eye lashes that she got from her father. Her reflection was just a painful reminder of what she lost.


Ava headed out of the bathroom and toward her closet. She walked inside of it still clenching her towel. Ava had no idea what to wear to these types of things. She wanted to be comfortable but that attire wasn't suitable for something like this. She grabbed her long black maxi dress, She paused for a moment then poked her head out of her closet looking toward the balcony doors. It was still raining so there was no way in hell she would be wearing that dress. She went back into her closet and put the dress back. She readjusted her towel and flipped through some more of her clothes. She stopped and grabbed a white sun dress. "This should do." She said with a smile. She walked out of her closet and laid the dress onto her bed and headed over to her dresser to grab a bra and thong. She headed back toward her bed and grabbed her dress and headed toward the bathroom.


Ava didn't know what to do with her hair. it was raining and there would be no point in straightening it when it would just end up they way it looks now. She grabbed her brush and brushed the ends of her hair softly. Ava's hair had a natural beach curl to it. She mostly wore it natural because her mother loved it that way. She let go of the ends of her hair and threw it back. Her hair was long and beautiful, the length touched her mid back which was a good and a bad thing. After finishing her make up, which wasn't much all she ever applied was mascara and light eyeliner, She headed toward the door. She stopped dead in her tracks as she looked at herself in the mirror, Something was missing. She examined her dress, It was to plain for her taste. She looked around for something to go with it. She smiled once she found her navy blue cardigan and brown skinny belt. She wrapped the belt around her waist and slid the cardigan on. She flipped her hair out of the way of the cardigan and examined herself again. "Better." She said with a smile. Ava could hear her aunt yelling from the kitchen to hurry up that her breakfast was getting cold, "Coming!" Ava replied as she put on her favorite pearl earrings and headed down stairs.


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Ava and her aunt sat down and ate breakfast. Small talk filled the kitchen as they ate mostly about their plans for today. Ava's aunt looked down at her watch that read 9:30. Ava's aunt chocked alittle bit on her food. "Oh my word we have to go we don't want to be late for your meeting at the bank." She took Ava and her's plates and put them in the sink. She grabbed her umbrella and car keys and headed for the door with Ava right behind her. They both ran to the car trying not to get wet. They giggled alittle bit about how foolish they must have looked. Ava's aunt started the car and headed into town towards the bank.

 

[swampishpetrichor]

Robin Lucky Pierce

​

Robin scoffed. "Pierce," She muttered to herself with a light yawn, jaw popping. Robin winced, she pricked her finger with a needle again by accident. The young adult winced, and pressed the thin tissue on her nimble fingertip again. She worked at the local Hopefield tailors', and she dry cleaned and sewed up and hemmed clothing people needed done, because their grandmother was too old and frail to do it for them. "How ironic, huh? Right, Shrimp?" Rob asked aloud with a soft smile, looking at the fat cat that was lazing on his scratcher that was behind the counter. The elegant white Persian cat kept her company, since her boss always seemed to be put collecting clothing. She worked graveyard shifts, and had to stay late since special events were soon. She quickly sewed the last suit, with trial and error, but finally finished.


Her work was quality, and that's why she had a fat paycheck of thirteen bucks an hour, and she worked ten hours each day she was there. She usually got home at eight, but it was around nine-thirty now. She had to go home and bring Isla to her late morning preschool classes, then pick her up at four. During that time, she could sleep, and laze around. Her petite boss, (more petite than her), gently walked through the doors with a soft, slightly wrinkly smile. She was about sixty eight years old, and was very nice, and often drank tea in the mornings. "You can go home now, dear, thanks for your help." She said, and Robin smiled slowly. "Thanks, Mrs. Walt." She told the aging lady, and patted Shrimp before leaving, and then hung up her apron, along with her name tag. Robin got home, and woke up Isla with a smile. Isla was like her. Calm, and smart.


Robin walked home in the rain, and once she got inside, she basked in the warmth of her sleek studio apartment with a tired sigh. "Hey, little squirt, put on your clothes so I can get you to school." Robin yawned, wiping tears that squeezed out from the corner of her dark brown eyes, and she scratched some crust away from them. She had to feel awake to be awake, she figured. Isla groaned. "I don't like school!" Isla whined. "I'm surrounded by idiots." She whispered, as if her classmates could hear as she pulled on an oversized burgundy sweater, and then some jeans, yellow duck rain boots, and a black jacket. "Sometimes I feel the same way, Isla." Robin blurted truthfully as she thought of her snooty, bland neighborhood. Robin popped some tight joints, and then headed out, walking Isla to preschool. "Have fun." She informed the kid.


Isla smiled sarcastically back at Robin and the young adult sniffled as the cold air whipped at her nose, the rain wasn't the awesome, humid rain you could dance in, and jump in puddles, and do fun things in, but is was the cold, frigid rain that came down like bullets, and hit you hard in the skull. Until Isla was inside, she walked off, receiving disapproving stares from older parents from their heated cars as she walked out of the elementary school parking lot. They probably thought she was a young mother that got pregnant at freshman year of high school. "Ignorance kills." She whispered to herself somberly, her heavy and deep thinking coming into play. She needed something to wake her up. With this rain, she couldn't sleep at all. Sometimes the lucky girl had trouble falling asleep because of her odd work hours. Whatever, though.





She walked by the shops, and decided to get something warm at the cafe Clarence worked at. She walked in, her petite body, shivering and soaked. She had a low tolerance to the cold. She was wearing a striped navy blue and white knit sweater with a long brown raincoat that reached her mid thigh, and some dark ripped jeans and brown combat boots. Robin sat down on a barstool, looking tired and drained. "Clarence," she called out, her voice surprisingly hoarse. Robin cleared her throat and rubbed her eyes, coughing and then yawning. That was Robin's little way of making it look like that she wasn't about to cry, but all of her friends could see through all of that. "I'm putting Isla up for adoption." She said, voice wavering. Everyone knew she was so protective of that little girl. She was telling him this since he had experience.





There was a brief pause of Rob trying to regain her calm and collected composure. Thoughts flooded themselves through her mind. "Then I'm leaving this sh*t town! I hate this place!" Robin yelled in her mind, but she didn't really say it, though she wish she did. She would keep that to herself. Everyone in their little friend group would know that sooner or later. "What should I tell her? --Should I tell her?" She asked quickly, and then she drew a shaky breath. All Robin could think of right now was leaving, putting Isla up for adoption, and how tired, tired, tired, tired, tired she was. She was tired, and all out of whack in the mental department when she was tired. Her friends were used to that, and she was always better when she had a good sleep. "Clarence, I'm tired. I'm tired of everything. This town, my family. Everything." Robin whispered to herself, she was shaking now, and then she had advice for herself. "I need to sleep."

•


Mentions: @TheLovelyDead

​

 

[pulpfiction]

Imogen Blythe





The heavy rain made Imogen's umbrella flip inside-out almost very three minutes, and she was already soaking wet. Her usually lively blonde hair was turned into clumps of dark, wet locks that blew into her face just as many times her umbrella turned inside-out, and the heavy absorbent clothes she'd decided to wear that morning weren't exactly making things any better. She swore that next time, she was never ever going to sneak out without checking the weather on the news first. Ever.


Finally, after having ran about just a few minutes (though it felt like hours to her, considering the situation), she was gasping for breath as she turned the doorknob and entered her house. Tiptoeing, she flipped the light switch on and scuttled upstairs as quickly as she could. She had just received a text message earlier from her dad saying he was coming home soon, and that certainly wasn't good news considering she was supposed to be grounded and in her room, rather than outside and dripping wet. She immediately dried herself, discarded her wet clothes and hiding them somewhere not in plain sight as she changed into warmer, comfier clothes. Suddenly, she heard the sound of the front door being opened downstairs, and she was in luck, because she had just finished drying her hair. She put on her best impression of herself on a usual Saturday afternoon; which was actually just a bored look on her face--and set down the stairs to meet her father.


"Hey Dad," she said in a dull tone. Her father glanced up at her as he took off his coat and hung it up on a hook next to him without uttering a word. He squinted at her with his small blue eyes, as if scrutinizing her every detail to see if there was anything wrong. Fortunately for Imogen, he didn't seem to notice anything because he proceeded to have a seat on the couch and turn on the television. "Don't talk to me right now." he said gruffly, "Bad day at work." Imogen almost blew a sigh of relief. "Oh. Okay,"

"I do know you've done something though. But right now I need you to get out of the house." For a moment Imogen froze, but she still found a loophole. "Get out? But aren't I gr--" her father interrupted her with a sigh. "Not right now you're not, but you soon will be again if you don't get out," Without another word, Imogen was out the door. The raining had finally ceased, as if it were a welcome sign after she'd suffered being grounded for so long. Not once before had she ever been so happy her father was in a bad mood.

​

 

[splice box]

Cole Evans


Cole looked out the window of the café on the cold and rainy morning, and sighed, as the line on the phone went dead. He had been talking to his sister, but very few words were spoken to him. Something in her was changing. She wasn't quite the same Serenity he had met several years ago. As the cold rain drops raced down the large window of the café, he thought about this morning and how he arrived earlier than Clarence. Cole had sat on a park bench for at least an hour before he had showed up to open the café. As Cole smiled to himself for his eagerness, the bell on the door of the café signaling someone's arrival had gone off. He turned his head to see the familiar face of a girl, probably around his age, soaked to the bone from the ice droplets outside. "Clarence," Her eyes looked pained and tired, something Cole was all too familiar with. "I'm putting Isla up for adoption." Cole felt a pang of sympathy for her, just by those words.





Cole had seen her before in his neighborhood, which he assumed she lived in too. And Isla, he assumed, was the little girl she walked to pre-school every morning. It was sad knowing that a routine that he was so used to seeming, might not exist anymore. "Clarence, I'm tired. I'm tired of everything. This town, my family. Everything." She whispered, barely audible in the small café. that was it. Cole had finally graced himself with another's struggles. He drew in a shaky breath, and walked over to the shivering girl that slouched on a barstool. He sat next to her steadily, making sure he didn't compose himself as brash.





He looked down at her painted features, and felt obligated to speak, so she or he wouldn't just sit there.


"When my parents put me up for adoption, I didn't know what was going on. Mom was crying, Dad was holding her, and I was in the arms of a stranger," Cole said slowly, an accent laced in his words. He turned to the girl with sadness in his eyes. "It's the weight of the world for both parties. But that's the cost of love." Cole said the next sentence to defend himself for any negativity that might come out of her mouth. "I'm not judging you, I'm not judging your life, And I'm most certainly not judging your choices. I'm a total stranger as well, so that doesn't help my circumstances of you listening to me," He drew in a breath. "But I want you to know," He looked at her soaking hair, and the damp clothes enclosing her body, reminding himself that she was still young, just like him. "You deserve sleep. And so does your little girl." He readied himself for 'You're a complete stranger' and 'You don't know my life', and certainly 'this is none of your business', but all he wanted was for her to know.He didn't care about the consequences for right now, only that she saw the significance of his words.

​

 

[yistae]

Xavier woke up to the oh-so-wonderful sound if his alarm clock, screeching out in some high pitch tone and sitting just out of reach. Groaning from under a pile of blankets, Xavier pulled the comforters closer and over his head in hopes that the alarm clock would just stop on it's own. It didn't, and after several minutes of it still going off, Xavier finally sighed and got out of bed, unplugging the offending piece of technology as he made his way to the kitchen for some coffee. It was his morning routine. To get up, unplug the alarm clock, get coffee, take a shower, get dressed, then reprogram the alarm clock before leaving. He never stayed at his apartment, it felt too empty to him. Even after being there for just over a year, moving boxes remained unopened in corners and closets, gathering dust.


After his coffee and shower, Xavier threw on a pair of dark blue jeans, a plain grey tee shirt, and his worn converses. Going to the back of his apartment, he opened one of the two windows in the small flat and looked outside. It had rained aparently, and the usually oppressive Louisiana humidity was momentarily replaced by a cool, crisp feeling in the air. Xavier smiled a little to himself, then closed the window and grabbed a simple black jacket along with his keys and left the apartment.


Outside, Xavier glanced over his shoulder to look at the apartment complex, a massive brick building that could just as easily be mistaken for a prison of some kind. And it seemed to be for some. Hell, the whole town was a prison. Even though he'd only been there for a year, Xavier had easily picked up on the fact that people lived in Hopefields Gap because they were stuck, or moved there to run from something or someone like he did. Shaking his head, Xavier mentally scolded himself and shooed the thoughts away, allowing his mind to wander and humming some tuneless song quietly. He didn't need to really pay attention to the town, instead focussing on a rock and kicking it with his foot. Why would he pay attention to something that never seemed to change?

 

[ForgottenBlood]

Syrus~

​

Syrus was hanging halfway off his bed with the radio loud as ever and the neighbors knocking on his door trying to get him to turn it down.Syrus was still in a deep sleep even though the music would cause someone three blocks down to wake up.After a little while longer of tossing around and trying to get comfortable,the male gave up trying to get back to sleep and cut the music off.The sounds of someone banging on his door filtered in not too long after.He cursed and got up then walked to the door while ruffling his own hair.He opened the door and leaned on it watching the neighbor complain and complain.He smirked and asked "Is that it?" then looked at him raising an eyebrow.Before the neighbor could answer,he shut the door in his face and smirked again before going back upstairs.The male went and got ready for the day with something cool enough for the summer heat then added on shades and a small leather bracelet that was his brother's before he passed away.He then exited his house and took out a cig,lit it,then smoked while walking down the sidewalk to get to the cafe because well...he was starving and didn't feel like fixing anything.He could see that it had just stopped raining and now the summer heat and came rolling in once again,probably was still there when it was raining.Syrus loved the rain,he never really knew why but,being in a car with the window down somewhat and taking in the smell of the past rain always calmed him down or made him sleep.Sometimes he wished he could smell the same air forever.Shaking off those thoughts,he took another drag and ran his free hand through his hair while walking further.





Jesse~


Jesse had gotten up some time ago before the sun was even up and was present at the downtown boxing building.Today was just another pre-fight before he went up against people from far away states.He looked into the mirror while jumping rope and motivating himself.Come on come on...you've got this.It's not about how hard you hit..it's about how hard you can get hit....You've gotta be able to fight but,you also have to be able to take a blow and get right back up...you've got this...you've got it.he thought to himself before tossing the rope to the side and going out to the arena.After getting into the ring and having a little talk with his manager in the corner,Jesse put his mouth piece in and watched the other guy's movements trying to find a weak point.Left leg not moving all that great...right shoulder is a little weak.he thought before hearing the bell ring.After the first three rounds,Jesse knew he would win the last one,he could see the weakness in the opponents eyes.That was before the other male took off his gloves and gave a right punch to the side of Jesse's jaw.Falling to the ground,Jesse quickly took of his gloves,spit out the blood that was in his mouth and got back up fighting the male right back.The males last about six minutes before security pulled them apart and into their separate places in the building.Jesse had a broken nose and swollen jaw but,he could tell from where he stood that the other male had way more damages than him.





Jesse smiled at the other male as he held a bag of ice to his jaw and the athletic doc stitched up his nose.An hour later,he was out the door with his gym bag and a new ice pack on the side of his face.He smiled halfway(or as much as he could) loving the feeling that he won both fights.Now,he was thinking about food but,hell...he was in pain and really didn't feel like going anywhere but,still.His stomach put up quite a fuss before Jesse gave in.He sighed,"Alright..I guess i'm gonna go get something to eat...or pass out before I get there."he said to himself and laughed.He stretched a little and popped some of his bones trying to shake off the pain that he felt in his lower leg.He knew it wasn't anything but,that didn't push away the fact that it was hurting like hell.He still continued to walk though knowing that if he stopped now,it would take even longer to get into the city and grab something to eat.

 

[SolarLuna21]

Ava and her Aunt Shannon exited the bank to find that the rain had stopped. They turned to each other and smiled but they were mostly smiling because they didn't have to deal with the back and sales people anymore. It was a silent walk to the car before her Aunt Shannon spoke up "That was a lot of money you just got my dear. What are you going to do with it?" Ava didn't know what she was going to do with it. She had never really thought about it before. "I honestly don't know aunt Shannon, I might just use it for college. I know that's what my mom and dad bought the store for. So they could raise money for my college fund.". Both women reach the car doors. Shannon fumbled to find the keys in her purse. "Aunt Shannon?" Aunt Shannon stopped for a moment and looked at Ava. "Yes my dear?" Ava took a deep breath, "I'm sorry but I'm not going with you today I think I'm just going to stay in town and hang out. You know?" Ava bit down on her bottom lip and waited for the look of disapproval, But it never came. "That fine dear just please be home at a decent time. Your uncle and I are taking you out to dinner to celebrate." Ava walked over to the driver side door and kissed her aunt on the cheek. "I wont be late I promise."


Ava waved to her aunt as she drove off. Watching her aunt fade from view Ava started to head toward the café. She needed a coffee and to be alone. Not like she was going to be alone anyways its a café but to be away from her aunt. Don't get Ava wrong she loved her aunt, But after what just happened she needed breathing room. Her aunt was sort of a suffocater. Always breathing down Ava's neck. I mean maybe Shannon just wants to be the perfect 'Parent Figure' who knows. All Ava knew was that she needed to be alone. She walked down the street from the bank towards the café. Hopefields Gap was a pretty beautiful town. The street laps weren't like anything you would see in the city. They were the old fashioned ones, The beautiful ones. And the road in town wasn't asphalt, It stopped being asphalt as soon as you hit down. It was a brick road all the way through town. For some reason Ava loved it. The look of it. She could hear the breaking of the waves as she walked to the café.


Finally reaching the café, Ava entered and walked up to the counter to order. She ordered her usual Cookies n cream Frappe and walked over and sat down where she always did, A corner table/booth that was right next to the window. She reached into her little bag and pulled out a book 'The Wish House' by Celia Rees. It was her favorite book, Ava probably has read it about 12 times. She reads it every summer because it talked about a summer romance that, I guess you can say any girl would wish for. She opened the book up and laid it flat on the table. Ava propped her head up with her hand and started to read. Even though she was on chapter one she still couldn't wait to get to the end of the book.

 

[Psychedelia]

Olivia Forester

​

It was just barely 8:00 in the morning when the morning sickness kicked in. Hunched over the toilet, Olivia found herself resting an arm over the toilet seat and leaning her head against it. She had now been sick several times in the past fifteen minutes and now she felt only slightly better. Sighing softly, Olivia steadied her shaky self to stand and wander slowly to the sink. Olivia lifted her head to look in the mirror at herself. Instantly, she scoffed then chuckled slightly. As usual, she had forgotten to take off yesterday's makeup and now looked like a black, smeared up mess. Olivia rubbed her stomach slightly, slowly and whispered to the growing child inside her, "I know someday this will all be worth it."


After showering for a good twenty minutes, Olivia walked out of the bathroom, down the short hall, and into her bedroom. Searching her closet for something to wear, Olivia's thoughts began to wander but she quickly snapped herself out of it. Today marked her fourth week at the local cafe. Knowing that she had already been there a month was an amazing thing to her. She actually enjoyed working there and wouldn't mind if she had to work there for quite some time.


Olivia, now dressed for the day, made her way back into the bathroom and did her hair and makeup. She decided against doing anything but scrunch her hair some and put on a little eyeliner and mascara since it was raining. Glancing over at the toilet as she felt a wave of sickness kick in, Olivia took a deep breath and moved slowly out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. After grabbing a bite to eat, Olivia continued on her way out of the home and began her walk to work.


Arriving just before 9:30, Olivia clocked in, smiling and waving to the manager and a few other employees. She headed behind the counter and donned her apron, adjusting her name tag slightly so people would notice it more. Olivia smiled down at her stomach then moved out of the back and took her position behind the counter, They had just opened so, within the next few moments, a crowd would soon be pouring in. Olivia smiled brightly, the way her boss had told her to. But, for once, her smile was genuine. Today almost felt like a fresh start to her and she was in a really good mood thus far. Now, all she had to do was wait and hope that no rude customers decided to come to her register.


Just as the thought popped into her head, a woman wandered in and over to her side of the counter. "Hi! What can I get you today?" Olivia questioned excitedly, getting a standard coffee order in response. Seconds later, she returned with a coffee for the woman who paid and left in a hurry. "Have a nice day... ma'am?" Olivia called to her, just slightly too late.

 

[Lacuna]

Kendall was woken by the light pitter patter of rain drops on her window, it was a calming sensation to her. Much better than being awoken by the sound of her mother, Lauren, arguing with her grandparents. But it didn't take long for that to kick in, only a matter of moments later the loud banging sound of her mother making breakfast downstairs filled the house. Groaning as she rolled over in her bed she swiftly kicked the wall and yelled out, "Some people are trying to sleep in this house!" She knew it was of no use, her mother would just continue to make more noise. Which is exactly what she did. As the banging sound filled her ears she cover her ears with her pillow and tried her hardest to block it all out. She laid there for a couple minutes, hoping she could wait it out, but as the banging continued she grew tiresome of waiting and knew she only had one option. Get up.


Lazily she rolled out of her bed and threw on on easy outfit, making sure to pile on the bracelets. She had just had a little relapse last night and the last thing she wanted to do was have her mother notice. Lauren was a nervous wreck on the best of days, seeing her daughter with cuts on her arms would do nothing but make her fall into a blubbering heap on the floor. Thankfully for Kendall, her mother wasn't observant enough to notice the heaps of bracelets on her arm.





Tromping down the stairs the steps creaked with every step she took. Once hitting the landing she continued into the kitchen only to be greeted by the overwhelming smell of her mother's cigarette smoke. Faking some coughs, she halfheartedly smiled at her mother who was leaned over the sink. "Morning." Her mother flashed her a half smile, lips still clinging to the cigarette. Kendall could tell that her mother had been crying, the big puffy eyes were a dead give away, but by now she was used to seeing her mother like this in the mornings. Sometimes at night she could hear her soft cries. It was times like those that Kendall really felt for her, in a matter of 6 months she lost 2/3s of her children. Kendall was all she had left, and it wasn't like she made things easy on her.


"I'm going to the coffee shop, I'll be back whenever." And with that Kendall headed towards the door, but she could feel her mother's eyes on her. Glancing over her shoulder her eye's met her's, "I love you, and don't worry, I'll be fine." Ever since she came home at two o'clock in the morning one time, Lauren had been perpetually nervous about Kendall's whereabouts. Smiling lightly, Kendall headed out the door and snatched up her skateboard. The rain had lightened up enough that the droplets wouldn't sting during her ride.





The coffee shop was only a couple blocks away from her house so the ride wasn't unbearable. Coasting up to the front door she kicked up her board and swiftly caught it. The cool air of the cafe sent shivers up her spine as she entered. Her eyes darted around the room looking for familiar faces, she recognized the baristas, Olivia and Clarence, and Robin who was hunched over the counter, and what appeared to be the the consoling Cole. Sauntering over the counter she glanced over at Robin giving her a half smile. She looked exhausted, but that's what happens when you have a kind enough heart to bring in a 5 year old. That was the one thing Kendall could never do. Let someone in.

 

[Lutalica]

Clarence Jericko-Hollister





It was a busy morning already by 3 A.M. Clarence couldn't get any sleep. The thought of staying in Hopefields Gap was still rolling through that strange mind of his as he stared at the blank ceiling. He would have to work, take care of Beck, deal with the Shermans, and all the other shit everyone seemed to leave at Clarence's doorstep for him to deal with. It was a busy lifestyle, but it was his only lifestyle if you wanted to be technical. All his life he took everyone else's problems and made them his own, which ended up creating a lot of stress, but the guy could handle it. He was the rock to everyone's problems, and he loved it.


The rest of the morning wasn't so bad. He got dressed and already left the house by 6:10 in order to get to the café by 7. Once he reached the café's front doors he realized Cole Evans, who seemed quite content as he sat on the bench in front of the building, and simply gave a slight nod and a smile. Clarence didn't know much of the people in Hopefields Gap, just the regulars that showed up at the café. Each person had a different personality, and each time Clarence just shook his head. Everyone wanted to leave this sh*t*ss town as much as the next person, but they all didn't know what it was like to be out in the real world. Life on the road was more of a burden then a gift, but then again, it sure as h*ll had its perks. Granted, you were free from the people that enclosed you from the world, but you had a toll to pay. Everything has a price.


Soon enough the town was bright and lively as people were bustling in. One after another like ants racing to their colony. Though there would always be the odd one out. The one that broke the awkward silence. Rob had trudged in soaking wet with the life beat right out of her. She looked pitiful, but she didn't want people's pity. She was a strong girl with a nurturing personality at heart, but boy was she out of it today. Clarence gave empathetic eyes as she walked over to the counter and started talking. It was about Isla. Of course. Now, Clarence hadn't been in Hopefield for very long, but it was obvious this kid meant the whole f*cking world to Rob, and he couldn't blame her. And then it all came crashing down.


"Adoption?" Clarence spoke with some confusion in his voice. Soon enough, Cole jumped into the conversation and Clarence simply listened for a while. His only advice would be a reference to his past, and he didn't feel like getting into that, not today, not now. He shook his head at the thought and then looked up at Rob who was paler than before. "Look, what Cole said isn't wrong, if anything, I would've told you the same. All I can say is this: Everything has a price. In your case, it just so happens to be Isla. You can't hold the weight of the world on your shoulders like this Rob. It takes practice to juggle sh*t like this, and I should d*mn well know it considering I spent most of my life not only on the road, but dealing with the weight on my shoulders." He stared directly in the girl's eyes and smiled. She was tough, but she could break. Rob was practically falling asleep right then and there. "I'll show you the back room. It has a bed and some blankets in there that are practically yelling your name. Sleep. Doctor's orders." Clarence replied as he gave a quick smile and a wink at Robin.

​

@swampishpetrichor @splice box

 

[swampishpetrichor]

Robin Lucky Pierce

​

Robin sat down, hunched over the counter. Her eyelids felt heavy but her eyes were dry and chapped, so she stayed awake. There was a pause as she listened to the boy with a faltering British accent, her eyes closed, and it seemed like she was ready to sleep and call it a day. But, Robin stayed awake and listened to the boy. Many people in this town had experience with adoption and abandonment of biological parents, and she was open to listen since she didn't know anything about this stuff. She wasn't a pro at 'Adoption 101' like they were. Her eyes peeled open, the chestnut brown hues adjusting to the lighting of the cafe. Clarence was there by her side, listening to the boy beside her. She turned her head and took in his features. He was familiar, he had went to her school before, and she had recognized him. She paused and then sighed shakily.


Robin sat up straight, back arching slightly as she rubbed her eyes tiredly. She was rubbing her eyes constantly to keep herself awake. She paused, licking her lips. "I'm just gonna tell her." The lucky girl stated. "It won't be easy, but I'll get it done. Let's just hope that I won't cry. Or traumatize her. Or both." Robin concluded, resting her chin in her palm. She sniffled again and batted her lashes so tears wouldn't spill from her chapped, tired eyes. She ran both hands through her dark, semi-long hair, and dropped her small, pricked hands to her sides. They were poked more than a diabetic's fingertips. All of that sewing paid off, though. She turned her head, and her eyes met his, and locked. He smiled, and she just managed to lazily smile halfway as she listened to his words. She looked down as dizzied from lack of sleep.


She covered her eyes with both hands and she wobbled in her chair shakily. "Ugh." She groaned, her eyes squeezing shut from under her hands. Her hands pulled down her face, and then she cleared her throat so her voice wouldn't be hoarse. "Thanks, Clarence, I don't think I would've made it home." Robin told him truthfully. Absentmindedly, she got to thinking. "If the stars can shine for people at night, even if they're asleep, then I can stay awake in the morning when no one cares to gaze." Robin whispered to herself. Yup, now she's really going crazy. She shakily stood to her feet. If you really looked at her, she was really petite for her age. She was about a head shorter than Clarence. Robin rubbed the tired out of her eyes and blinked a few times so she wouldn't collapse on the floor. "Lead the way." She said to Clarence. Robin scoffed and slapped his arm with a slow smile. "Don't wink at me like that."

•


Mentions: @TheLovelyDead @splice box

​

 

[ForgottenBlood]

Syrus & Jesse~





Syrus yawned and flicked the now bud down on the ground,stepped on it,then entered the cafe,which had took longer than he thought to get there.He watched the familiar people break in their own conversations while eating or drink,too much talk this talk that for him...at least at that time in the morning.He took a seat at the table nearest to a window and tapped his fingers on the table top while looking outside at the now rising sun.He sat back in his chair and waited for a waiter or waitress to come by his table.Once he did,Syrus told him what he wanted then the male was off to get it.After his food arrived,Syrus made sure to taste it first then sent the waiter off to do whatever else he needed to do,call it rude but,he doesn't care.Soon after,Syrus could see Jesse come up to the building looking like someone just ran over him three times with full force,I guess that's what happens when you're dream is becoming a boxer...Syrus would always wonder why Jesse doesn't move on to a bigger and better place that here but,he didn't complain about it either."Hey guys." Jesse said with a small wave as he took a seat up at the counter and sat his bag down while asking for more ice in the ice pack.He waved to Syrus to just in case he thought that he didn't see in or anything.After receiving the ice pack,Jesse placed it back on his jaw and made a real order."So,how's everyone's morning?"he asked looking at everyone.

 

[pulpfiction]

Imogen Blythe





It was already about noon when Imogen started to realize she had got nothing to do, even when her father had given her free time. She felt stupid, just having to do whatever she was told. She was always treated like a child, and it made her hate herself for sounding like such a fussy teenager when there were others who probably had something worse going on in their lives. Her parents provided for her food, her shelter, and her money. So why was she complaining? She didn't have everything, but she did have a lot of things. She really should appreciate the things she has more often, even when she was unhappy.


And that was another thing she constantly asked herself: Why wasn't she happy? It seemed like such a meaningless question nowadays. She asked it herself ever so often that it began to feel like an annoying, repetitive jumble of words in her head. She shouldn't even be asking herself these kinds of things; it wasn't like she had an actual valid reason to be sad. "Well, how annoying am I?" she said to herself while her boots made the most unflattering, squelching sound as she stepped into a puddle.


Finally, she entered the cafe where Clarence worked, finding five familiar faces all in one corner of the place. "Hi guys," was the first thing she said, but she abruptly changed expression when she spotted Robin with dried tears on her cheeks. See what she meant? Everyone had more important dilemmas. "Rob? What's the matter?" She'd always known that Robin was troubled, being the only one to take care of her almost-daughter Isla and all, but she'd never seen her shaken up this bad. She usually held a firm ground, even when she was almost always tired and beaten up by her responsibilities. For that, Imogen had a huge amount of respect and admiration for her. If only she were that brave, she thought.





@swampishpetrichor

​

 

[SolarLuna21]

More and more people entered the café. With every chime of the bell Ava would look up and examine the person that walked in. She knew of Imogen, Kendall and Robin from high school. But they weren't really friends. They talked here and there before of being in the same class but it never developed from there.


The next person that had walked in was a guy Ava had never seen before but heard of his name, Syrus, She thought it was. He was the guy that all the neighbors complained about, for blaring his music all the time. She watched as he stomped out his cigarette before entering the café and watched as he sat down to the table right in front of her. She blushed alittle bit. He was actually quite beautiful. Ava rested her chin on her hand while holding her place in her book. She was examining him. He had the 'He didn't care' Vibe about him. But what guy didn't? I guess he was your typical bad boy.


Ava's train of thought was interrupted by a waiter that asked if she was done with her coffee or if she wanted some more. Ava looked at the cup that once held her delicious frappe that had seemed to mysteriously disappear, But not really she sucked it down like there was no tomorrow. She looked up and smiled at the waiter and asked for another. As he carried off her empty cup, Ava turned to look back at the guy in front of her. Noticing that he was looking back at her she blushed and looked back down at her book..

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Great Ava, Just great. Now he's gonna think you're some freak that was staring at him the whole time.

​

Ava looked back up at him through her bangs. Her piercing green eyes being lit up by the rising sun. The waiter had returned with Ava's drink, Asking if that would be all she needed, Ava responded with a bright smile and told him that was all she was gonna have. She handed him a couples dollars for a tip and her card to pay for both of her coffees. He rang up both purchases and gave the card back to Ava. He walked away after telling Ava to have a good day. Ava smiled back at the waiter "You too."


Ava shut her book and put it back in her bag. She couldn't concentrate on it anymore and felt like she actually wanted to sit back and enjoy her frappe instead of sucking it down like she did the last time. Ava leaned back in her booth. She held her frappe with both hands as she took small sips. She looked out the window and watched the sun rise higher into the sky. It was a beautiful day out, A day that would be perfect for surfing. A soft groan escaped from her closed lips. She missed surfing. Everything about it. The paddling out, The drop in, the water spraying up after every cut and turn, She even missed the wipeouts. Just something about the water in general attracted Ava. She was your typical beach bum.

 

[yistae]

Xavier smiled as he entered the town's cafe, the smell of coffee warm and inviting. There were quite a few people hanging out and talking, some Xavier recognized from the high school but didn't actually know. He had made that a rule of his. Don't let people get close, and don't get close to people. In the long run, it made things simpler. With the distance he kept, it ensured that if he decided to leave it wouldn't effect anyone. Now all he had to do was get the courage.


Sitting down at the counter, Xavier ordered his usual iced caramel latte, paying for it and giving the barista a five dollar tip. He had some extra cash, so why not make someone's day? Sipping his drink happily, Xavier looked around the cafe at the other occupants. There was a big group down the counter, their body language hinting that either A, none of them were used to mornings, or B, something had happened. 'Probably not a good something,' Xavier thought to himself and moved onto the next group. He saw a girl sitting in the back, and a guy that looked like he'd gotten the crap beat out of him was smiling and acting like his face wasn't half bruised or his nose stitched up. 'Weird group,' he thought, turning his attention back to his coffee and tuning out the group's conversation.

 

[Psychedelia]

Olivia Forester




​

Olivia began to notice people coming in she had seen many times before. Now, she wouldn't exactly call them 'friends' but she felt some sort of connection to the group... They were a group, right? Olivia took a few other orders and tried to mind her own business; something that was growing hard to do when she could so clearly hear Robin talking about adoption. Adoption. Olivia could never do that to her child. Personal preference, I guess. Olivia thought to herself. She still had a while to go before she could go on break but she really wished she could have taken a break and talked to Robin for just a few minutes in attempt to change her mind.


For the next few minutes, nobody came to Olivia's register so she simply rested her head in hand as she leaned against the counter. She could feel the energy practically draining out of her and the sickness kicking in some once more. Olivia began using her free hand to doodle on a nearby piece of paper. Growing bored quickly, she decided to tell the manager she was feeling ill so, under the circumstances, he let her take a seat for awhile. Olivia thanked him and purchased herself a small cappuccino. Carrying it over to an empty table with her, she took a seat facing the other customers.


Olivia examined them all one by one but not for too long; she didn't want to appear to be staring. She thought nobody really knew about her pregnancy, yet, but she wasn't too sure anymore. These days, it seemed as thought nobody ever went out of their way to start a conversation with her. Now, this group, on the other hand were always talking away to each other and enjoying their lives as young adults. Though, a few of the guys seemed a bit on the outside, too. One always looked so brooding and like he hated people. Another always came in with a busted face. The last guy just sat in silence in the corner, also very brooding but more 'too good for anyone' than people-hating. Olivia smiled softly at her own thoughts and observances as she sipped her cappuccino, forgetting that it was really hot still. She quickly realized this, however, and cursed slightly as she felt the burnt sensation settle in and she bit her lip softly to deter the pain.

 

[Lutalica]

Beck Hollister & Clarence Jericko-Hollister





Sirens. That's all Beck could here after she jabbed the vet in the stomach. Look, the guy f*cking deserved it. He was coming on to her like the perv that he was and she didn't take kindly to pigs like him. Her 'instinct' was to kick the guy where it hurt, but it ended up becoming more than that. The police were already fastening the cuffs on her pale wrists and she couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Four times already, huh? Must be a new record." the officer replied in such a snarky way. Beck would've kicked him to if it didn't mean more jail time. She was already being written up for assault, yet nobody cared to ask her why. Beck had the right to protect herself, but it seemed nobody else saw it that way. The officers pushed her along as the medics cared for her victim as if he was an abused angel.





Beck was shoved into the backseat of the police car like usual. She had grown to know this place, the backseat that is. It was practically like another home for her. Honestly, it never took long for Beck to end up in this seat, and it sure the h*ll wouldn't take her long to get out of it. She managed to get her cuffed hands in front of her instead of tied in the back, which took practice, but it was manageable. "You seem to have a lot of tricks up your sleeve, Becka-Ann. Must be a family thing." That was it, the *sshole went too far. "So, if my misbehavior is a family thing, is your unattractiveness a family thing to? Or..." she replied with a rude smirk. She reverted her gaze towards the window where she watched the neighborhood flash before her eyes. It was amazing how fast cops drove when you p*ssed them off.





He pulled up at the café. Typical. "Hey, grab me a donut while your at it, 'kay?" Beck yelled out to the cop as he left the car. The officer was talking to Clarence who seemed to just huff and roll his eyes. He had looked over towards the car and Beck just waved with an awkward smile. It was obvious the cop was still ticked off, but he let her out of the car anyways. The downfall, he kept the f*cking key.





Beck entered the café with a half smile while everyone just stared. "Don't you all have something better to do?" she said as she walked towards Clarence. "Oh save me Clarence, for I have sinned!" she yelled dramatically as she held up her cuffed hands. Clarence just shook his head with a smile.


"Your so difficult." he replied as he looked at Beck with a small form of empathy. The girl got into trouble because she didn't know anything else. It was her lifestyle, and it was her choice. "I'll help you in a minute, let me help Robin first." he said as he looked over to his tired friend. Beck shrugged and sat on the counter as she swayed her legs back and forth. What an awkward moment. Clarence gave a quick smirk and walked over to Rob. He held out his arm like a corny gentlemen and awaited hers to wrap around. It was his humorous way of making people smile, even if it was only for a moment. "Follow me, mademoiselle." he said as he he laughed under his breath.


Mentions: @Alecshie @oOBubblesOo @yistae @splice box




​

 

[swampishpetrichor]

Robin Lucky Pierce

​

The girl was interrupted from being shown the bed, and instead, she was shown Beck. In handcuffs. Robin had gotten herself arrested a few times, but never in full-on prison. That was too Orange Is the New Black for her. She wouldn't be like that. But, she stopped getting herself into too much trouble after bringing Isla in. Robin's smooth cotton candy colored lips curled into a smirk at Beck. Robin laughed, shaking her head, being lighter than the negative cops around her. "Beck, what did you do this time?" She asked, smile widening. Her voice didn't sound like an annoying, stern parent, but it sounded playful and curious. Robin actually wanted to know, since she kind of encouraged being wild and doing whatever the f*ck you wanted, 'cause Robin was super independent like that. For that, one cop ordered her to hold her arms and legs out.





"For what? What the hell?" Robin blurted out, thick eyebrows furrowing. She spread her legs and raised her arms, eyes drooping, and her knees and elbows wobbling. She probably looked like she had just overdosed on crystal meth or something. The cop patted her down and Robin chuckled under her breath, though her face was red with embarrassment when he patted her chest. "At least take me out to dinner first." She stated aloud, she had no filter with lack of sleep. Robin finally was finished being patted down, and her joints were shaking like crazy. "Hey! Try walking in a straight line." The cop ordered. She bit her lip, and started to walk forward, and her vision went blurry, and spun. Robin stumbled, and squeezed her eyes shut as her ears started to ring like bells. "Blow into this." They held something to her mouth, and she heavily exhaled.


Robin knew she was underage for drinking, but she wasn't drunk. She was exhausted. "She's clear." One of the cops said with disappointment, as if they wanted her to be taken 'downtown'. 'Hell yeah, I am,' Robin thought to herself, not having the energy to say it out loud for the world to see. She chuckled dryly at Beck's actions, she was truly a good friend to her. No matter how much trouble all of them got into, they were still caring people that lived like everyone else in this town. "I'm tired, that's all." She said to Imogen, or Immy as some people liked to call her. Robin tried to smile sympathetically at her, but it just came off as wry and weak. Clarence held out an arm, mocking a gentleman, and she laughed. She slung an arm around his, and then the other, so she could support herself a bit. She felt like strawberry Jell-O.


Jesse spoke up, and she laughed, with another slow smirk. "My morning won't suck once I get some sleep." She told him. "I'm sure everyone's morning will be glamorous compared to mine, ask everyone else for me." Robin added with a lazy wink at him. The lucky girl leaned her head back onto Clarence gently, and if she had a choice, she would sleep then and there. Robin blinked her eyes firmly to wake them up for a bit. Her chapped eyes widened a bit, then her eyelids drooped in a fruitless attempt to keep herself awake. Where was all that energy she had in the seventh grade to stay awake from eight in the morning to six in the morning the next day? "The world will never know," that's what they always say, and it will apply here, in this sleepy situation. Robin's ears rang once again and she squeezed her eyes shut as she yawned drowsily, jaw popping.

•


Mentions: @Alecshie

​

 

[ForgottenBlood]

Syrus~


Syrus was to busy eating to actually talk to anyone but,that didn't mean he wasn't listening in on everyone's conversation at once.He sighed and watched as a police car drove up,not the cops that were looking for him....luckily.He pushed his empty plate to the side then slipped his coffee and sat back in the chair he was sitting it.From the looks of the sky,he could already tell that it was going to rain again.He didn't mind at all,though....the feeling of someone staring at him broke his thoughts.He looked towards the girl who was right in front of him at the next table.Blinking at her shy ways,he smirked and sipped his beverage again then looked back out of the window.So much was going on in the cafe after the short time he had been there but,he still felt like keeping to himself for a little while longer.When he saw the female closed the book,he instantly remembered her name.Hm...Ava...guess I could try that out. he thought to himself and made sure to say something before she passed him completely."Next time,all you have to do it talk babe."he told her looking right at her then getting up and walking up to the counter to get another drink.

 

[Lacuna]

Kendall patently waited for her drink at the counter as Syrus walked up. He was known as the town's bad boy, but she always felt like there was more to him than that. But then again, sometimes people are flat. Glancing over at him for a moment she gave him a small, thin lipped smile and a half wave. "Well, well, if it isn't the town's bad boy." She kept a light and joking tone to her voice. She didn't particularly want to scare him away like she had done with most of the kids that she went to school with. In high school Kendall never fit in with any of the cliques. She spent most of the years floating from group to group; unlike her brother and sister. They were always in with the popular crowd, but that was because they could supply the booze for all the parties. In a way she was happy that she floated around, there were no attachments. Attachments were never her thing.


The small chirp of the barrista's voice drew Kendall's attention, and head back. Smiling lightly she grabbed the cup of coffee off the counter and sipped it lightly. The instant the hot coffee hit her lips a warm fuzzy sensation came over her body. Coffee was just the thing she needed to wake herself up and shake the glooming cloud over her head that never left her last night.


Relapses were a common thing for Kendall, but some were worse than others. Last night was one of them. It was one of those nights where nothing seemed to be going right. It started off with her mother coming home drunk off her ass and yelling obscene words and phrases at Kendall because she hadn't cleaned. From there it all snowballed into a pointless argument where they ran around in circles nit-picking at each other. Per usual they both stormed off to their rooms, leaving her mother to drink more in her room. The whole night ended with a bang, her mother stumbled out of her room in a drunken mess, with a sliver of glass in her foot. Kendall's always been the caretaker for her mother, even more so after the passing of her siblings. So a sliver of glass was easy compared to half of the shit she had done before.

@ForgottenBlood

​

 

[SolarLuna21]

Ava looked back at Syrus "W-w-what?" her cheeks blushed a bright red as she bit her lower lip. She set her coffee down on the table as her eyes followed him to the counter. She was confused and startled at the same time. So he knew she was staring at him and that made her blush again. She felt embarrassed. She always caught herself staring at people, She couldn't help it she would zone out and when she would zone back in she would realize they would be staring right back at her. But Syrus was different, Ava didn't zone out while staring at him and that's what probably made things worse.

Did he just call me babe?




​

Ava was taken by surprise with that. Now that she thought about no one ever called her babe before. Not her father, her mother, nor her aunt and uncle. Especially a cute boy. Ava really never had a "Boyfriend" I guess you would call it. It was always no strings attached kinda thing. No strings. No heartbreak. That's how Ava saw it anyways. She wouldn't let anyone in. It wasn't personal it was just how she was. She didn't need anyone leaving her heart broken and alone again. Not after he parents died.


Ava looked back up at the counter and noticed Syrus and Kendall socializing.

There's my chance. Maybe I can get out of here before I embarrass myself anymore than I already have.

​

Ava started to pack up all her things in her bag. Maybe she could sneak out before anyone noticed. She was good at that. Going unnoticed by people. It was like her hidden talent. Now you see me, Now you don't. Ava started to slide out of her booth. She was stopped by the waiter and asked if she wanted a coffee to go. She didn't want to be rude and blow him off so she agreed and asked him to hurry. She waited patiently as the waiter walked towards her with another coffee in a Togo cup. She grabbed her coffee and handed the waiter a 10. "Keep the change." Ava said heading towards the door.

 

[yistae]

Xavier had finished his first coffee and was working in his second while watching the other patrons in the cafe. He probably shouldn't have, but he found it highly amusing when a police officer brought a handcuffed girl into the cafe, and had to force himself not to laugh when she was being very over dramatic. He did think the cops making another girl do a drunk test or whatever was crossing a line though. Sure she looked a little off, but not a drunk type off. More of a sad, exhausted look. Calling over one of the baristas, Xavier ordered a standard coffee, telling the overly peppy girl behind the counter to give it to the girl who had been harassed by the police. Nobody needed to start a morning like that, and if his guess was right then the police doing that was just kicking her while she was down.


Standing up from the counter, Xavier looked around the shop again. There were several people not with the big group down the counter, but still not a lot. His eyes landed on a girl sitting by herself in the back, people watching like he had been though she had a sad sort of look to her. He'd seen her in the cafe before, but she looked a few years older than himself so she probably wasn't a high schooler. Deciding he had nothing better to do and that it would be good to socialize a little, Xavier took his coffee and walked over to where the girl was sitting. "Hi. Um, is this seat taken?" He asked awkwardly, gesturing to the empty seat across from her.

 

[pulpfiction]

Imogen Blythe

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Imogen smiled. "That's good then," she told Rob as she turned and left to approach the counter, where Syrus and a girl named Kendall were talking. Imogen only sort of knew Syrus, since he hung out with them from time to time, but he was the type of guy who was friends with a lot of people, and never really stayed in one group. One thing she was sure of was the fact that he was popular, though. She also knew that Kendall was part of that popular group, but she didn't really know anything else about her. Immy leaned forward over the counter and told the girl her order, tapping her fingers against the surface to the beat of the faint music she'd only realized was there. Upon receiving her cup of coffee, she walked towards a booth and sat alone. She could've sat with Clarence and Rob and the others, but it wasn't like she was really even that close to them. Imogen was quite friendly, and people usually liked her, but she didn't actually have any real friends that she could talk to or eat with. But when she thought about it, she just wasn't too bothered about being alone that much.


She slid into a booth, set down her cup of coffee on the table and took out her iPod, plugging in her earphones. The sound of one of her favorite bands, Alt-J, started to fill her head, which quickly matched the mood of the cafe, the rain, and the warm scent of petrichor still lingering in her hair. This was what she usually did whenever she had the free time. She either loitered around alone in pubs, bars, or diners, just listening to music as she ate or drank, observing her surroundings and the people around her. She was actually doing it at that moment, specifically on Syrus, who was quite good-looking. It wasn't like she had a crush on him, she just liked looking at him. Besides, if she was looking for someone to date, it wouldn't be Syrus. He was the reckless, arrogant type of guy, and what she wanted in a serious relationship was someone caring and sweet, the ideal person for everyone. Not that she was looking for someone. Or whatever.

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[Lutalica]

Clarence Jericko-Hollister





Clarence gave another slight smile. Rob made him inexplicably happy, which was a relief for a guy like him. He never had much going for him, and considering the people in Hopefield, he's got a lot more than what he started with. He walked a little ways towards the back of the café. "So, where would you go?" he asked with a slight disappointment. "When you leave, I mean. Where would you go?" Clarence looked over at Rob. For a girl he met only a week ago, he was already falling.


All of a sudden his mind flooded with thoughts of Beck and how she would feel about all of this. She was his responsibility, whether she liked it or not. The girl was reckless because she couldn't have it any other way. Sadly, she was the outsider, and the only friend she had was herself. He wanted her to have a life, and not one that was constantly running from the cops. Though, that was entirely up to Beck, and if Clarence knew anything about her, she was going to be lost like this forever.


"Your room, m'lady." Clarence said as he gave a small chuckle. He turned to face a door that clearly read "EMPLOYEES ONLY." all over the damn thing, but for Robin's sake, it was just another rule meant to be broken. Clarence unlocked the door to see a spacious room with storage shelves and a bed. It was the 'lounge' for the employees at the café, but it was also known for being a hangover room when it came to the people who walked over from the bar a couple blocks away. "If you need anything, let me know." he replied as he led Rob to the bed. "Take as long as you need." Clarence said as he looked around a bit. The room was pretty worn, but considering the circumstances, he didn't really think Rob would care. He looked back at the girl and sat down next to her. "You know you'll catch a cold with that wet jacket of yours still on." he stated as he slowly slid it off of her without an answer. He wanted her to feel comfortable, especially when considering that she had to deal with a five year old 24/7.


Mentions: @swampishpetrichor

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