Bad Bitch

When: A few days after the Pride Parade Where: Downtown, Maywood Open to: everyone @maywoodstarters​

Unfortunately for Natalia, she had been in the hospital for a shift during the entire day of the pride parade. She always enjoyed watching those, but there had been no opportunity for her to get out of the shift. So she had been searching for someone who could at least tell her how everything had been. It didn’t take long before she recognized someone on the street and she quickly moved over. “Hey, I’m sorry to disturb you but do you perhaps have a moment?”

Ava loved pride month, even if she wasn’t apart of the community herself, she still supported the hell out of it. If there was think she loved about the town, their pride parade was it. There was nothing more joyous then seeing people come together and show love and support. She sipped on her ice coffee while scrolling her phone when she heard someone stop her. “Sure, what’s up?” she asked curious.

Sofie chuckles as she makes her way over to her favorite, Stormy, a gray Arabian who didn’t get along well with others. She’d heard a bit of his backstory, that he had been abused by his original owner and was skittish around people. She understood him and they seemed to get along fine. Stroking his nose softly she led him out of the stall to the brushing area. “Are you good to bring her over here? they’ve got saddles and equipment, everything we need” 

Ava took a minute with just her and the horse. She couldn’t help but give a light smile. Riding horses was fond childhood memories of her and she was just excited to get back on the saddle. But she also knew that it was important to just enjoy her time with the creature in front of her. “Oh yeah.” Ava moved herself and the horse to get the equipment. “I have to say these horses are easily the true two beauties.” she grinned softly again.

“Honestly so is my sister and as much as I love her I”m a bit worried about that. Before I know it I’m going to be running two businesses while she’s traveling the country in her van.” He chuckles and shrugs. “If you’re good with downsizing it doesn’t cost too much to build a tiny house. This would be a great place for it I’m sure you could find a decent lot to rent for far less than your rent.” 

“Clearly that’s her calling. Hell it takes guts.” Ava shrugged. The thought was sounding amazing to her. “I think I can handle it given spending my summers as a kid driving around the country since my father was a truck driver and all I ever wanted was to spend every day on the road with him.” she grinned. “But the idea is sounding better and better as we continue talking I gotta say.”

“I would love to hear your conclusion,” Cam said with a chuckle to the woman next to her. It was something unsaid about Maywood that kept you there. “Even though I do dislike an event like this, I do think I am going to take a look now. Do you want to join?”

“Here’s to hopefully hearing it one day.” Ava gave the women a smile. Sometimes Ava couldn’t wait to figure it out for herself. She shrugged. “Sure why not. It’s better than sitting at home, staring at the wall.” 

Diego was always amazed by the fact that there were new people to meet in Maywood. He’d lived here the majority of his life, moved away, and returned and still, every day he met someone new. Granted, it was also a requisite of his job. “Cupcakes are relatively easy. Though they require decorating and I’m not the best at that. Cookies too. We could always attempt some kind of candy. Sugar isn’t too difficult to work with. I’m not sure if that counts for a baking competition, but it’s worth a shot.”

Ava thought for a minute. While she didn’t mind a cupcake, they were to froufrou for her tastes. Cookie were good but again simple in terms of the baking competition. She grinned at the idea of candy. It was different and bold. “Now candy sounds awesome. I’m down for that.” Ava wasn’t a huge sweet tooth but when it did come along every so often, she typically turned towards candy  to fill the craving.  

Sofie shrugs softly hearing her words. She’d taken up riding for a number of reasons, mostly because being with horse and her lessons go her away from the house but also because it projected the image her parents wanted. Not to mention trophies to boast about. “They are magnificent. I miss my beauty but I didn’t want to make him make the trek across the ocean so he is officially retired.” She smiles walking into the stables with her, “that’s good to know, atleast you have a bit of experience. I was a bit afraid I was going to suggest it to someone scared of horses or something. Bonus you get to pick any horse you’d like” 

Ava nodded listening. She wasn’t one to be all mushy but she had a soft spot for horses. They were calming and just amazing creatures. Ava wished she had always been more of a rider as a kid. She shook her head. “Please horses are the furthest thing away that scares me.”Not that she was scared of much. Ava never fully understood the nervous people would get with horses. After all it was all about being gentle. “Sweet.” Ava looked around for a minute being drawn to one. She went up to the horse and gave it some love. “This one.” she grinned.

“Nice, to be honest its a lot easier now than it used to be. There’s a whole segment of people who live out of vans. And by van’s i mean tricked out sprinters with a kitchen and in some cases a portable toilet. I’m not sure if its something I could do but I’ve seen some renos on school buses that are about the size of an apartment.” He knew all about it. While he’d never considered it, his sister had. She loved the idea of being mobile, granted that worried him half the time since he’d invested in her business here in town. 

Ava grinned, it was a cool idea. “I’ve been tempted to live that kind of life since I’m used to the whole open road thing.” If she was able to handle a big truck for months at a time, she knew she could handle living in a van. “I mean sure an apartment is cool but sometimes the rent isn’t worth it. But seriously mad respect for anyone that does that.” Ava could totally see herself living in a van. Sometimes it even seemed better then her apartment. 

Sofie chuckled hopping off the fence. She motions for her to follow along toward t he stables. “Glad to hear it because I am always up for a good ride. pardon the innuendo.” As the approach the stables she shrugs softly. “I ride here often, I used to be an Equestrian growing up and one of the people I knew from the circuit moved out here. Well actually they live outside New York but when I moved to Maywood they gave me a good reference for this place. The owner is great and doesn’t mind me randomly showing up to give some of the horses some love.”

Ava follows Sofie to the stables. “Wow that’s impressive.” While Ava was no where no a professional when it came to riding horses, she had a little experience. Thankfully she was at the point where she couldn’t embarrass herself. “Well that’s good. Sometimes I feel like people don’t understand how cool horses can be.” Ava didn’t get to do much riding during her travels from Denver to Maywood but it brought back some good childhood memories she had. “I rose some growing up but nothing serious or anything.” 

Nathaniel shrugged slightly and looked around. “It’s not how I would normally choose to spend my free time… but it’s better than sitting around my apartment, I’ll give it that.” He admitted. It really wasn’t that he didn’t like to have fun - it was just that, usually, big crowds were not his definition of fun. “So I can see how it would become a lot to handle.”

“That’s kind of my thoughts about it too. Big crowds usually aren’t my thing.” Sure Ava was used to being on her own during her travels but one in awhile it was nice to be out and about and do things. “Yeah. I could handle a weekend but not exactly a week’s long of things.”

“You will get used to it in the end.” It didn’t mean that you would end up liking it, unfortunately. Cam tilted her head slightly when Ava said that there was more to this town to settle down. “What was it that got you hooked to this town in the end? I mean, I haven’t left Maywood all my life for a different place to live, but this town isn’t that special, is it?”

“Looking forward to it.” she said partly sarcastically. “Honestly I’m not really sure. I don’t know if it’s the people or the small town aspect or what.” Even after all this time, Ava still wasn’t sure what made her stay here for as long as she had. “If i ever figure it out then I’ll let you know.”

“I hope so I am paying them well.” He turns hearing her words and nods in understanding. He’d spent many years away. Not for any particular reason. He’d been in England for school, then his horticulture degree had taken him on a few trips and he just got settled where he was. He regretted not going home more often, seeing his mother more before she dide. “I get that, I was the same til about 5 years ago when I came back. Where’d you grow up if you don’t mind me asking” 

“Denver. Although if it possible, I’m sure I would of spent my entire life on the road rather then just the summer time. My father was a motorcycle junkie who was a truck driver for work. He taught me everything I know about the open road life.” Sometimes Ava would think about what things would of been like if he life had been more settled but at the same time she maybe never would traveled from Denver to where she is and had all those memories. 

Sofie was thankful to be out of gowns and crowns, trading them for jeans and a tshirt. She was glad that Ava had picked up her box. Lindy had prompted her to put one together, she figured it was a good way to get out there. Atleast they knew eachother, were friendly. She looked up from the fence she was sitting on to see Ava approaching and she offered her a smile. “It depends on how adventurous you are.” She motions to the horses behind the fence she was sitting on. “Feel like going for a ride?” 

“I’m very adventurous.” Ava was the type that down for pretty much anything. She enjoyed challenges and doing different things rather than the same thing all the time. Her eyes couldn’t help but light up at the sight of horses. “Are you kidding me? I’d love too.” If there was something Ava was soft for, it was animals. It didn’t matter if they were dogs, cats, horses, whatever, chances were that she would love them. “So how did you swing this? Are you an active rider or something?” 

Cooking was something that Diego had enjoyed since childhood. As a small child, he’d hovered around his mother’s legs as she’d created concoctions in the kitchen. After a while, she’d left a small stool hidden under the table for Diego to use whenever he was assisting her in the kitchen. He’d particularly enjoyed cracking the eggs and mixing. Since then, he’d kept up with the cooking and baking. He wasn’t anywhere near professional status, but he did know his way around a kitchen. “That’s all that’s important,” he said, greeting his partner and extending a hand to her. “I’m Diego Alvarez. I own the Primrose. I’m not sure we’ve met before.”

Ava had heard of her baking partner. The Primerose was really nice and fancy from what she had heard. It seemed like a place that was way out of her league. “Ava Torres. I’m a mechanic and motorcycle enthusiast.” she said shaking the guys hand. Sure baking wasn’t ideal for Ava but why not. She was decent at cooking so how much worse could baking be for her. “So do you have ideas about what we could make? While I don’t mind desserts, my knowledge of them is pretty small.” 

Face scrunching slightly as she leaned back, Zahra really couldn’t understand why anyone would willingly do such a thing. Did they not have sanity? “God, what on earth did they do to bribe you into doing somethin’ so gross? If you tell me that you’re doin’ it willingly… I might just need a moment to process.” Maybe more than a moment actually. “I meaaan, you’re welcome to if ya get tired or something and go any longer ‘cause most people kinda tap out fairly early on when they realize some people are too good of competition. I’m used to all this stuff since I grew up here but with every year, I get less and less into things. I only plan to go to the ball ‘cause my step-sister and step-mom made me buy a dress already.”

Ava rose her brows. “I was asked and plus I’m a sucker for some competition.” Sure it didn’t sound like the best thing to do but Ava was not the type to back out.”I just might. I don’t mind taking some bets.” she grinned. ““I’m not even from here and I’m over most of the stuff within the event. I can’t even imagine how it is for people like you who grew up here and dealt with this every year.” The ball was probably one of the few things Ava didn’t mind. Sure she wasn’t the type to get all dolled up and fancy but that kind of something she liked about it. It was her one time a year to show a different side to her. “I don’t mind the ball usually.”

The reasoning behind Ava’s dislike of the event made sense, Cam could definitely understand it. She shrugged first when the woman asked for her own reasoning. “I’ve been here all my life already and one day you get enough of the same traditions every day.” But even though that was the truth, she wasn’t ready to leave Maywood. Maybe one day she would, but not now.

Ava nodded, understanding. “Yeah I mean I’ve been here ten years and don’t care for some traditions here. I can’t imagine having these same things every year.” Thankfully Ava and her family didn’t have many traditions. “But obviously this town speaks to me in a different way since it got a lone wolf like myself to settle down here.” she stated, giving a shrug.  

“There are a few week long events that are completely worth it,” Edgar noted. “Carnival, for one. I once went to a wedding to was nearly a week long. That was worth it. This is hardly comparable.”  

“Carnival yes.” One was never to old for that or a themes park in her mind. “Wedding,it depends. I would have to really like the people for me to do a week-long wedding celebration.” Ava nodded, agreeing with him. “Yeah my only enjoyment of it nowadays is seeing some people get so overly excited for it. That alone is pretty enjoyable sometimes.”

“Not at all.” Jade replied and she took a drink from her bottle of water. “I’m honestly not sure why this is such a big thing, but it’s all everyone has been talking about for works. I mean it’s cool, but kinda feels like everyone has been sipping the same kool aid for too long.” She remarked. She’d listened to customers and Thalia both hype this up, while it was nice it just felt like any other festival she’d been to over the years. “Are you at least excited to do this dancy thing on Friday? I heard it’s cool at least. Plus you can talk to me the whole time.”

Ava smiled. “Yeah after my second year of doing a bunch of events,I kind of gave up on it. It was different at the time considering my town never had something like this. But the enjoyment and curiosity left rather quickly.” she chuckled. “I can’t believe I’m saying this but a bit. I mean I hate that I am but clearly this town has really gotten to me over my years here.”