My life may not be perfect, but my lashes are!

Elody offered a sympathetic smile. “That’s Bluebell for ya … I’ve, lived here my whole life, so I guess I’m used to it.” Her eyes lit up at the mention of LA. “You’re from LA? I went to UCLA. I was trying to, you know, get away from boring old Bluebell, but I didn’t last too long out there,” she admitted. She was planning on going back there someday - after all, she’d always had big dreams - but she would always be a smalltown girl at heart.

“Oh my gosh, that was my choice of schools! I went for a year and then...well, then i crashed a car and my parents sent me here, so....” She tailed off with a shrug. “I don’t hate it here. I know it seems like it. I think this place is....quaint. But I’m not really a fan of small town life either. It’s so quiet all the time, there’s not any excitement ever.”

“I mean, we may not have Target or Macy’s or whatever, but we do have Colette’s if that’s any consolation?” She replied with a small shrug before then nodding at the girl’s words. “Some people might not agree with the whole renovating Bluebell idea though, that’s the problem, it’s not that we don’t want to do it.”

“i know, and Colletes is cute and all, but it’s not the same as going out for a whole day of shopping, looking from store to store. i think that bringing in more busness could be awesome for Bluebell, but it seems like most people just want it to stay the way it is. And I mean...look, this place is cute, but it just seems so....small. How do you breathe when everyone knows everything about you?

“We got plenty’a stores! They’re just smaller ones” Olive motioned around with her hand. “There’s a lil boutique there…and a thrift shop over there….and we got the convenience store ‘round the corner” She pointed. “I aint never been to a Target or Walmart though” She shrugged her shoulders and rocked back on her heels. “Everythings just family owned and stuff”

Abby frowned a little and shook her head. “Okay the boutique may be a start, but honestly a convenience store isn’t exactly what i meant. I want to like....go and shop through aisles and aisles of clothes to search for the perfect summer top. Or try on five pairs of jeans to see which one makes my butt look best. I can’t do that here, it’s like, just.....too small I guess.’

“Are you sure about that one?” Cassi teased, shrugging a little.  “It’s weird to get used to, that’s for sure, but I don’t know.  I think the small town vibe is nice, and it makes me spend less money since I have to basically plan an entire trip to go shopping.”

“I’m pretty sure. i mean I grew up in like....the central of US capitalism, and I turned out fine.” The truth was though, had she turned out fine, she likely wouldn’t be in Bluebell at all. “Oh tell me about it, I have bareely had a chance to spend money because it takes forever to get anywhere worth going. And I’m certainly not buying a bonnet and a yellow petticoat.”

“ fuck so they sent you back to the stone ages ? that’s brutal. ” she smirked trying not to let out the laugh that sat deep in her stomach. “ yeah LA has it’s good parts but doesn’t every town ? i mean i get being bored here, trust me but if you look in the right place you can find a bit of fun. ” she’d kill to be back in california, back in the behind the wheel of a fast car instead of here working in her family’s farm. “ i didn’t say be ashamed. just that you spouting off like that makes it sound like you think you’re better than the small town folk, ‘nd that tone won’t get you very far here. ” 

“I mean yeah, pretty much. It’s supposed to teach me to be humble, but honestly it sort of just feels like punishment.” She shrugged her shoulders. Theree was no secret that she would rather be anywhere else. “i don’t think i’m better, I just think I don’t belong here. And some people do belong here. That’s cool. But I’m not one of them and I doubt any level of humility will evere make me one.”

“well, for starters, i ain’t seen the pretty face around before.” he flirted lightly as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “i don’t think siri can do all that you probably have to do.” to be honest, he had only ever heard of siri. his telephone was older phone he bought from someone when he was seventeen. it was a flip phone and people always questioned how they were still around and working. but he was proud of it. “how big of a fish we talkin’? because there will be plenty of minnows, but they’re so small, you won’t feel ‘em.” he chuckled. he pushed the key into the ignition and held it there with a force as he pumped the gas a few times. “she ain’t let me down yet, and i know she won’t.” he stated as the old truck finally started up. “see, good as new. she’ll get us there.” riley stated as he began down the road.

“If i can feel it, I’m gone.” She shook her head, but there was a small smile on her face. The whole situation was insane. Being with some boy she just met, going to swim in a creek or something, was all some horrible hallmark movie. Riley wasn’t exactly the crazy hot, super buff male lead of a halmark romance, but he was certainly cute enough, and sweet enough, to play the role. “And exactly where, daree I even ask, do I change into these? I assume that locker rooms with changing areas probably arent an option, right?

“i can tell you’re not really from ‘round here.” he laughed gently. all clothes were good clothes, but he said good clothes in the sense of the ones mama spent good money on for church. “we ain’t ever had a pool around here. probably ain’t ever gonna have one. it’s just how it is. i’m sure it’ll grow on you, sweetheart.” if there was anything riley was bad at, it was being flirty. she was cute, but he didn’t know her. he was hoping his flirting would be more welcoming than so. “it’s a pleasure, miss abby. well, farm life ain’t that bad. it’s the routine that gets it goin’ better for ya.” he laughed, finally getting to beside his truck. it was an old pickup truck, looked like it barely ran. but riley had got it running and working, and it was his pride and joy. pulling out a pair of gym shorts and a tshirt, he handed it toward her. “if you ever need any help with what you’re doing, i’m sure i could come over and help. it can be hard getting into the whole country life if you ain’t used to it.”

“What was your first clue?” She laughed as she asked. Everything about her screamed LA the minute she showed up. “I’ve never been good at a routine unless it’s the kind I program into Siri.” Shee shrugged. She missed internet and technology so much. Suree, she had it here, but it was slow and hard to connect to most of the time. “Well...” She hummed a little as they walked up to truck. “I’ll give it a shot because youre sweet to be asking, but if a fish touches me, I’m out of there.” She laughed and got into the truck. “You sure this thing is gonna get us where we need to go, Riley Junkins?” She held his clothes in her lap, suree she was going to look completely messy and unattractive in them. 

PERKING UP AT THE thought of being able to buy something from a store that wasn’t run by people she knew and saw on a daily basis was a dream. “ i mean i have no problem finding all the stuff i need either here in town or on amazon. ” she shrugged hands in her pockets. “ it’s a big world we live in kid, if you’re just aching for capitalism use the internet. but just for the record i don’t think you should go around spouting off the fact that you’re from LA like it’s some badge of honor. i spent a few years there the city smells like piss and everyone is fake friendly for no reason. ”

“I would literally love to, but my cell phone pretty much never works, and my uncle jeff doesn’t even have wifi.” She swore that some of the people in bluebell were stuck in some past decade- or century. “I loved LA.” She shrugged. “Hate it if you want to, and sure it has its flaws, but it’s never boring.” She missed it a lot, though Bluebell had its moments. “Plus, I don’t believe in anyone being ashamed of where they come from, no matter where that is.”

“these ain’t my good clothes, sweetheart. it won’t matter.” riley chuckled lightly as he began to lead the two toward the creek. “why would we get an actual swimming pool? we’ve got all kinds of pods and creeks and such. isn’t chlorine worse for you than that?” the male turned on his heels, looking at the other. “i’m riley junkins, by the way, ma’am.” he smiled that big ole grin he always harbored. “you must be mr. ross’s new hand. my mama was telling me about you.”

“You’ve got clothes bad enough to be swimming in them? I’d be horrified to swim in anything I own, save for a suit.” She followed him a little closer. “I don’t know, cleanliness maybe? No murkey mud on your feet while you swim. No critters or fish? Clear water?” She raised an eyebrow, confused. “Something like that. I’m Abby Ross. I’m his niece. Sent to be taught about life and humility on a farm, apparently.”

riley knew the people in the town like the back of his hand. and when someone came in that he wasn’t quite familiar with, he was quick to learn them. but this girl was different. there weren’t many farmers in bluebell —- maybe two or three. that’s where he recognized her from. she was a farm hand on another’s. laughing quickly, he looked back at the other. “you don’t wear a suit to go swimming in the creek. you just wear your clothes.” he couldn’t help but continuing to laugh as his southern draw still poked through. “but i wouldn’t in those clothes. i have a spare set of clothes in my car, if you’d like to go. not the fanciest but they won’t get ruined in that creek water.”

Abby eyes him for a minute. He looked her age, maybe a little younger, definitely the type who grew up here if his southern drawl said anything about it. “You’re going to ruin your poor clothes with that kind of ridiculousness.” She shook her head, but the heat was blazing and the water sounded so inviting. “Alright. I’ll come with you. But you guys have got to get an actual swimming pool in Bluebell one day. With Chlorine, you know?”

farmboyr​:

riley’s life was a nonstop rising at sunlight and quitting once the sun is gone. yet, he always found some time to have fun. covered in dirt, he made his way down the streets of bluebell. living their his entire life, he would bet you ten dollars that he could walk it with his eyes closed. when the first person to come into his sight was nearby, he was quick to jump to talking. “hey!” he cooed, running to get closer to them. “you wanna go to the bridge and go swimming?”

two months in bluebell, and she still felt so wrong here. everything about her, from her makeup and clothes down to her personality screamed LA. working on her uncles farm, dealing with the animals, getting up early--- none of it was for her, and she stuck out like a sore thumb. She was walking back to the farm after her shift at Fancies when she heard the voice call out. She stopped, looking over at the man. “I don’t have a suit though!” She called back, intrigued by the idea of cool water on her skin. 

The girl’s bright make-up perfectly matched Sofia’s outfit for the day and she had to admit– she was impressed. Some Bluebell girls wore make-up as bright surely, yet less… Tasteful. Abby’s words did not come as a surprise, the Hollywood actress herself had been forced to change some of her lifestyle habits after returning to the small Alabama town. “Don’t even bother, sweetheart. Buy yourself a decent coffee machine and save yourself the torture of negotiating with local waiters.” May it be this way forever. That same fate Sofia dreaded in her youth, especially after her mother’s death. Yet, she wouldn’t have allowed it so not long after, she had left to seek happiness elsewhere. “You don’t have to stay here forever, you do know that?”

Abby shrugged slightly, defeated by Bluebells lack of appropriate coffee. “Maybe not forever, but my parents are insisting that I’m here a minimum of one year. Apparently, I have to experiance all Bluebell holidays and find humility.” She knew that technically, she was an adult and could make her own choices, but she had nothing, having been taken care of her whole life. “At least this way, I have a phone and computer and clothes. Maybe in Bluebell but not all is lost. My other option would be starting from the ground up.”

He laughed softly, nodding. “From what I remember? Yeah, it did rain a lot.” He took another sip of his drink. He shook his head and thought back to those days, smiling softly. “It’s even more beautiful in person.”

“Maybe someday I’ll get to experience it.” She pulled her lips into a flirtatious smile. “Maybe with a friend who knows his way around, that would be fun, right?” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and crossed her legs. “So did you come from there, straight to Bluebell? Have you gotten to see anything....else? I mean... Bluebell isn’t what I would call an American highlight.”

Devon took another sip of his drink and nodded. There weren’t a lot of animals outside his window back home, but he could relate to the memories of peaceful nights listening to the world outside. That is, when his parents weren’t screaming at each other. “When I was in London, sometimes I liked sitting by me window and listening to the cars outside.” He shrugged. “It was…peaceful.”

Abby sighed. “Man, I want to experience London more than anything in the world. And Paris. And Amsterdam. Mainly I just want to travel eventually. When my blog is making more- or enough- to let me do that without relying on my parents.” She sipped her coffee and looked at him thoughtfully. “Does it rain there as much as they say it does?  I feel like sitting and watching the rain fall out the window sounds really nice and peaceful.”