benji wilson

“You look as shit as I feel, babe.” There was a small smirk on Andrej’s face as he sat down uninvited at the table, shoving down the bacon and egg sandwich and coffee he’d bought in hopes that it might settle his stomach and kill his hangover. Andrej knew that he was probably completely unwanted here but usually that was an incentive for him to be an asshole and be precisely where he wasn’t wanted. “And you also look like you won’t be that annoying which is why I have chosen to sit here instead of somewhere else. Sucks coming into the most popular diner in Moorbrooke at the most popular time of day.” He snorted and pulled out a piece of bacon, slowly chewing on it. “Heavy night?”

If anyone else had simply walked up to his table to tell him that he looked like shit, Benji clearly would have returned some snappy comment. Not that he didn’t know that he looked shit, he just didn’t need to hear it right now. But then again it was Andrej who, apparently, felt the same way at the moment and so the blonde only glanced up with slightly raised eyebrows. “Whereas we both know, I usually look amazing....”, he countered in a dry voice, finally pushing up his sunglasses. Quickly taking another look around the diner, he couldn’t blame Andrej for simply having decided to sit with him. He most probably would have done the same. “I’ve had worse..”, he finally replied with a shrug, “Guess I could return that question though...?”

OLIVER.

‘yeah! yeah, totally.’ oliver was trying so fucking hard to remember any aspect of that night, but there was nothing. he didn’t even remember getting super wasted, so when the hell was this? ‘okay, buddy. i’m… grasping at straws here. i don’t remember you, i’m sorry. i don’t remember our special night. i don’t even remember what bar i went to.’ he sighed in defeat, his face all scrunched up. ‘when was this? and what’s your name? i’m ollie! if you didn’t know.’

Man, that man was either really shit at remembering other peoples faces or had really been completely drunk when he had met whoever he thought Benji was... He was actually a little disappointed when the other admitted that he had no idea what Benji was talking about. He was pretty sure that he could have made up some more stuff. “Obviously you don’t! Might be because we’ve never actually met before!”, he admitted, crossing his arms in front of his chest as he studied the man’s face, somehow hoping that at least his reaction now would be somehow fun.

The remark makes her wonder if he had a drinking problem. It was also a reminder of how small this town actually was. “I mean, I think a hangover is it’s own punishment. Also… not including the fact that you’re very clearly of legal age, I don’t make it business to chastise people for their choices.” she said with a relaxed expression. While most of her rowdy ways were in the past, she knew damn well she wasn’t better than anyone and had no business doling out judgement or advice. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Benji. Should I assume that if you can spot a new face that easily you’re a native?”

Benji knew that it probably sounded like he had a drinking problem, some people in this town probably thought he had one as well. But so far he had always had it under control. Or at least that was what he told himself. He had always promised himself that he was never going to end up like his father after all. But luckily it seemed like the woman in front of him wasn’t going to lecture him. “Good..”, he only said before swallowing one of the pills and returning the bottle. “Born and bred.” Not that it was something he was particularly proud of. Back when he had still hoped to become a professional football player, he had wanted to get as far away as possible. And afterwards he simply hadn’t bothered. It wasn’t like there was something out there waiting for him anymore after all. 

“Don’t you ever get tired of being grumpy all the time,” Silas asked, one eyebrow raised. He understood being jaded, and even believed that some people had a reason to be that way, but it must’ve been exhausting to constantly exist in a state of pessimism. “Tell you what.” Silas leaned forward on his elbows and cast his voice quietly. “You pretend to enjoy having a conversation with me for a bit and lunch is on me.”

“It’s pretty easy around you actually!”, Benji stated. Although technically one could argue that he was like that around most other people as well but with Silas, he couldn’t even imagine being any other way. And even though he probably should have known better, he had still hoped that the other might get up again and leave after this but that didn’t seem to be the case. On the contrary. “Ohh, right! Trying to buy me now, hm..?”, Benji asked, not even bothering to keep his voice as low as Silas’, “Why? So that everyone else believes that suddenly we’re best buddies?! So that you can get a few more votes next time..?!”

Carleigha sighed faintly as she walked down the street. After the way she grew up you’d think she’d be used to it all by now. Even after her surgery on her heart, it was always likely if not probable for the symptoms to resurface. Even when she traveled she’d gotten regular check ups with a cardiologist. Her doc was optimistic and she tried to be as well. Memories had resurfaced. People she’d lost during her stays on the ward. It took its toll. 

Needing something sweet and slightly not good for her, she let out a deep breath before entering the diner, light smile popping into place. Her eyebrow raised spotting a familiar face and she popped over. Letting out a mock gasp at his personal version of greeting, she feigned shock. “Benji Wilson is grumpy? Has the world turned on its axis? This is so new for you…” With a soft roll of her eyes she flashed an amused grin plopping into the seat across from him. “Feel free to rant about how you don’t want company…hasn’t worked in 10 years but maybe you’ll win today” 

Anyone who knew them would probably never understand how someone like him and Carly, who were probably as different as one could be, could actually get along. And not even just for a little while but for quite a few years. So when she walked over to his table, he couldn’t help but smirk a little when he heard her reply. “I know! Thought I’d try something new this time...”, Benji played along although the sarcasm in his voice was something you couldn’t miss. They both knew that this was simply the way Benji was and it wouldn’t change any time soon. It was something he knew just as well as he knew that Carly wouldn’t just get up and leave, even if he said that he didn’t want any company. “Think in that case, I’ll save my breath today...”

location: around town status: open

was it too early to do some shopping for his christmas village? probably. he didn’t really care though, because the way grayson saw it, he was just beating everyone before they all swarmed the stores after thanksgiving. one of his arms was occupied carrying a bag containing a mini christmas village toy shop (that lights up), a mini christmas village school (with a tiny bell that dings if you move it), and some mini little lights to set up around his town. all he wanted right now was to try and either find another building, a mini christmas tree, or more people to add to his village. the only problem he was facing as he stood in front of one of the shops in town was that grayson couldn’t decide between the building or the additional christmas village people. “okay, help me out, will you?” he asked the person next to him, not looking away from the window just yet, “i have two christmas village buildings in my bag, right? but the thing is, i feel like those are the first to go when people are on the search for christmas decorations. i also am on the hunt for one more building, some village people, or a christmas tree for the center of their little town. as you can see they have the buildings and village people here, so my dilemma is, do i get another building or do i get the village people? i mean, look at that little baker there,” grayson grinned, pressing his nose to the window a little, “he kinda looks like me, don’t you think?”

Benji had never been the biggest christmas fan. Back when he was a child, it had usually ended with his parents fighting at some point and him staying in his room. Or sneaking out of it once he was older. So when he was walking through town now and saw some guy standing in front of one of the stores, staring at some christmas decoration, he was about to roll his eyes when the other turned around towards him. "I'd say you're fucking crazy to have already bought some of that crap, let alone think about buying even more...", he replied, raising his eyebrows when the man mentioned the baker and how it supposedly looked like him.

open starter:@moorbrookestarters·

where: Outside, up the street from Riptide Gym

Jen looked down at her ringing phone and groaned before answering. She’d barely said ‘hello’ before the collector on the other end began reminding her exactly how overdue her electric was and that she only had another week to get it cleared up. It was a song and dance she was familiar with. “I’m putting the check in the mail as we speak. It’ll get to you day after tomorrow.” she said, and for the most part she was telling the truth. There were checks inside the envelopes she was shoving into the mailbox, however she had put the electric in the one addressed to the gas company, while the gas bill would go to the electric company. Usually, the fact that they received a check at all, even if it was wrong, was enough good faith to buy her another week or two. When she finally got the person on the other end to hang up, she braced herself against the nearest wall outside of some shop up the road from the gym and just sank down to take a few deep breaths. Fucking bills. Sometimes she thought she preferred deployment. Hearing someone approach, Jen didn’t bother looking up before she started talking. “If you’re here to rob me, you can fuck off.”

Even though he clearly didn’t spend as much time at the gym anymore as he had back when he was still playing football, Benji still needed to work out once in a while to get his mind off things. When he left the gym tonight to head home, he hadn’t come far, when he saw Jen sitting on the pavement with her back against the wall. Stopping next to her, he didn’t even get to say anything though before she already started talking. “Anyone trying to rob you would be the most stupid idiot around...”, Benji only replied with his eyebrows slightly raised as he waited to see whether Jen wanted to talk about whatever was going on. 

Cheyenne placed her coffee and paper bag down on the table as she dug through her purse for the aspirin, wanting to make sure it was ready for him if he said yes. The question left her feeling like she had somehow outed herself, even if it was the truth, and she made a small face. “That obvious, huh?” she asked. “Yeah, I uh, I moved here about three months ago.” she said, producing the aspirin bottle with a smile and holding it out for the stranger to take if he wanted. “I’m Cheyenne.”

Benji hadn’t actually been in the mood for small talk or anything like that today but it seemed like at least he’d get something to get rid of the headache. And apparently he had been right by assuming that the woman was rather new in town. “You didn’t tell me off for having some drinks last night, so....”, Benji only shrugged. Maybe not everyone who knew him, would have said something like that out loud but their eyes most probably would have said it anyway. And the last thing he wanted right now was being judged. He gladly took the aspirin bottle she was offering though. “Benji.”

Douglas couldn’t help but bark out a laugh as he tugged off his helmet. Most people were pretty positive about him getting the motorcycle, there were certain dangers to it but it seemed to fit him. Of all of the, Benji’s answer was the most practical. “Best answer I’ve heard all day. I’ll have to keep that in mind. Though that does remind I need to bring my truck in some time before winter sets in.” Setting the helmet on the bike his eyes shift over to his friend. “Anyway, what are you up to today?” 

He was pretty sure that his answer hadn’t been the one the other had expected or what he had wanted to hear but when it came to stuff like this, Benji had pretty much always been like this - rather practical and with a whole lot of sarcasm. But Dougie, he had learned, didn’t seem to be someone to mind that, on the contrary. “Even more money for me, sounds great!”, Benji replied when the other mentioned his truck before nodding his head in the direction he’d been walking when he’d spotted the motorcycle. “Heading towards Chuckies to grab something to eat!”, he explained, eyeing the bike once again, “And apparently saving you from killing yourself with this thing...”

Cheyenne wrinkled her nose in playful guilt as she scooped up a handful of creamers and tucked them into her pocket. “I kind of love bad coffee.” she admitted. “Speaks to this desert trash heart of mine.” Cheyenne added with a small laugh. She half turned to leave but paused long enough to ask, “Do you want some aspirin? I have some in my bag.” While she wasn’t exactly the most put together person in the world, aspirin and tums were pretty much as necessary to leaving the house as her phone and keys as soon as she’d hit thirty.

Benji was just about to make another snappy comment about how anyone would voluntarily drink bad coffee but then again she now had her creamers, so surely she was going to leave now anyway. At least he had thought so. But apparently she changed her mind. And he couldn’t deny that some aspirin probably would come in handy right now but some part of him was already waiting for the usual speech that would follow if any of his friends saw him like this. So instead of accepting the offer, he carefully studied her face instead, trying to figure out if she would be like that as well. But then again he was pretty sure that he hadn’t seen her around before. “You’re not from here, are you..?”, he asked instead, leaning back in his chair.

Being a politician was a popularity contest, and when you were the Interim Mayor of a small town, popularity played an even bigger role. Especially when a podcast announced that the previous Mayor had been killed and underhandedly insinuated that you’d had a part to play in the event while also insinuating that you were sleeping with a constituent. All in all, it had been a busy morning and through it all, Silas had to force himself to smile and remain cordial. “I said, fancy seeing you here,” he repeated, one hand resting flat against the tabletop where Benji sat. They’d known one another for years, and Silas had always suspected that the other man didn’t like him. Not that he could blame him. Silas could be rather unlikable when he chose to be.

He slid into the booth, one finger raised to signal the waitress. “I was planing to order lunch. Mind if I join you?” Even though the words sounded like a question, they were the furthest thing from questioning as Silas had already made himself comfortable. When the waitress approached, he flashed a smile before leaning in to order a burger. “And a side of those waffle fries,” he called after her. “So.” His attention turned to Benji. “How are you? Feel like it’s been some time since we’ve talked.”

Of course it had to be him. Out of all the people to stop by at his table, it had to be Silas. Just as he had thought this day couldn’t get any worse... The two of them already knew each other for quite some time and Benji had never particularly liked him but it had gotten even worse now that Silas was in politics. He wasn’t even surprised that the other simply sat down at his table without asking. Like Benji should be glad that he was willing to spend some time with him. So instead of replying to Silas’ question, he only pressed his lips together at first before eventually pushing his sunglasses up and leaning forward in his seat. “Hey, why don’t you save all of this for someone you actually falls for your bullshit...?”, he asked, raising his eyebrows.

Club Leziate always had something going on. Tonight, Maya had spent most of her time dancing and singing, but for the moment, she wanted to sit down and nurse a cocktail—and the smile on her face faded as her gaze traveled over the bar counter. Quickly she spotted an empty space, and she moved in for the kill, smoothly sliding past the dancing bodies and wild swinging hair. “Sadly for you, you’re shit out of luck.” She leaned back, gesturing around them. “The rest of the seats are taken, so you’re stuck with me for now.” She swirled the old-fashioned in her glass once, twice, before taking a long sip. “Any reason why you’re sitting alone?” she asked, glancing over.

Benji had pretty much been so lost in his own thoughts, that he hadn’t even realised that in fact the woman was right and all the other seats were taken at the moment. He could only hope that this wouldn’t mean that she’d try and start a conversation but apparently he was out of luck tonight. “Maybe it’s just that the rest of the town knows when it’s better to stay away...”, he only replied before taking another sip of his beer. It wasn’t even that he didn’t like any company in general - if it was the right group of people, he loved to hang out with them - but on nights like this, he simply wasn’t in the mood to be surrounded by a huge bunch of happy people. Which probably meant that coming here hadn’t been the best idea either but sitting at home all alone and staring at the walls, sounded way too pitiful even for him. And so, here he was...

ollie stared at him blankly as he tried to remember if he even knew this person. this was going to suck. he was so caught up in his own thoughts that he didn’t even realise the other was completely playing him right now. ‘we… drank a lot, right? it was that night with the weird party at the bar. don’t remember which bar, um…’ he looked away just to look around and somehow deepen his lie. ‘didn’t we talk about.. pudding? i don’t know, man. i was pretty wasted that night.’ 

Right now Benji was even glad that he hadn’t simply snapped at the guy and let him know that they’d never met before. The look on the others face simply was way too comical. But instead of finally realising his mistake as Benji had expected, he really started talking about that night he believed they’d met. “Yeah, pudding! Right....”, Benji slowly replied with a nod. Pudding, seriously?! That guy really must have been drunk as hell that night so it was probably no wonder that he had mistaken him for someone else. “You were the one who danced on the bar to Beyonce!”, he finally added, his face still dead serious to not let it show that he was only making things up by this point. 

Reece just watched him with a small shrug. “Rough day, or night, I’m guessing. Your breakfast looks like shit.” He had stopped to pick up a slice of pie for his lunch, a cup of coffee to go so he didn’t have to stop twice on his way in even though he gave himself plenty of time to. 

Noticing that it was Reece who was standing in front of him, Benji finally pushed up his sunglasses before facing the other again with a shrug when he mentioned his breakfast. “Well, so do you!”, he couldn’t help but reply although he was well aware of the fact that he was probably looking way worse right now. Not that he cared though. And he was pretty sure that the people who already knew him for a while, weren’t particularly surprised to see him like this anymore wither.

Cheyenne mumbled a thanks as she grabbed her to go coffee and muffin. Could she have made breakfast for herself before work? Yes. Was this stretching her budget? Also yes. Did she have an addiction to cheap diner coffee? Oh, hell yes she did. Maybe it was from years spent waitressing, though more likely it was the years spent bleary eyed and relying on the stuff to bring life back into her. Walking towards the door, she glanced in the bag and wrinkled her nose. They hadn’t thrown in the extra creamer. Glancing about she paused at the table closest with a friendly smile, though it seemed smile or not she was probably disturbing someone. “Sorry. I was going to ask to steal a few creamers from ya’.” she said, pointing to the extras on the table. “If that’s okay.”

Benji couldn’t deny that he was a little surprised to see an unfamiliar face when he looked up. He wasn’t entirely sure if that was something good or bad though but when she asked for the creamers, he somehow hoped that she’d simply leave again once she got them, so he eventually nodded. “Suit yourself! If I were you, I wouldn’t expect that shit to taste any better with them though...”, he couldn’t help but state, knowing that the coffee over here probably wasn’t that bad if you weren’t still slightly hungover.

open  starter .

         ‘  i  don’t  know  what  it  is  about  this  time  of  year .  ’    the  chill  that  permeates  the  air ,    the  crispness  of  every  fall  breath ,     the  falling  leaves  fluttering  to  rest  on  the  sidewalks …..     ‘  cuffing  season ,    my  interns  call  it .     it  seems  all  professionalism  just  goes  out  the  window .  ’     diana  isn’t  fully  opposed  to  discussing  one’s  personal  life  in  the  workplace ,     but  there  has  got  to  be  a  limit  somewhere .    ‘  i  implemented  a  new  rule :    the  next  person  to  start  chatting  about  their  sex  life  in  the  morgue  is  cleaning  my  autopsy  room .    it  hasn’t  come  up  again ,     but  personally ?    once  was  already  too  many  times .  ’

Usually Benji wasn’t the biggest fan of small talk, or some people would probably say talking at all, but right now he couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows with the hint of a smirk on his lips. Not that it was something he’d necessarily bring up in front of his co-workers just like that but he certainly didn’t mind talking about it either. “Hey, there’s gotta be way worse things to talk about...”, he countered, simply for the fun of teasing her a little, “Especially when working in the morgue! I mean seriously - at least talking about something that’s... a little more alive can’t be that bad to spice things up a little, can it?!”