Everybody but you!

“Ooh, loud guitars and rocking out? Sounds like a fun time. Maybe it’ll get me out of my Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears loop.” Not that Mary actually wanted to escape that loop. Throwback pop gave her life, really and truly. “I’ll check it out, though! It’s definitely time to expand my horizons!” She smiled brightly. “Are you from around here? I know I’ve seen you around town, but I guess we’ve managed to miss meeting each other.”

the weather was getting nice and alex finally had an excuse to get out of his grandma’s house when his grandfather’s mood went sour, which was often. so the beach it was. the sound of the waves crashing sure did beat the sound of a cranky old man or the annoying sounds of the game shows he liked to watch. as he walked further into the beach, he saw another person playing a guitar. he tried paying them no mind, which worked out great because half a second later he got distracted by a big shiny shell he found on the sand. alex was about to pick it up before he realized he was being spoken to. “who, me? i don’t know dude, a minute or two?” he shrugged as he finalized the picking up of the shiny shell. “nah bro, i’m sorry. i’m sure it’s someone else’s vibe, but it’s not my vibe. i like something more… i don’t know, upbeat, i guess?” he shrugged again. “not a big guitar guy.”

“Hmm, considering the last time I fucked a guy was, like, almost five years ago, I’m gonna say the chances of me being pregnant are pretty low. I think I’m just so hungry for real food that I’m willing to eat whatever that isn’t quinoa.” She exhaled a very dramatic sigh, like her life was oh-so hard. But she flashed a proud little smile at what he said next. “Hm. Fair. I’m a pretty awesome friend.” She headed into the saloon, crossing over to lean against the bar. “What sounds good to you, Car?”

“Really? That’s sick! I’m Peter,” he said as he reached out to shake the other’s hand. “How long have you been playing? I’ve always wanted to learn, but I’ve never been successful.”

“Mary!” She offered her hand gladly to shake his, her smile bright and broad. “Oh my gosh - thank you! That’s so sweet of you to say.” Her cheeks warmed up at the influx of compliments, but her smile only grew. “You’re super talented! And you have a great smile too!” She made herself comfortable in the sand beside him, running some absently through her fingers. “You said your band is called Saving Annie? Are you guys on Spotify? I’ll have to check you out - I basically only listen to early 2000′s pop, I’m in desperate need of some new tunes.”

Peter had decided to take a walk on the beach after his chores were done for the day despite the weather, and had paused for a moment when he heard someone playing a song. He clapped a bit when it was finished and offered the other a smile. “Only about a minute. It was great though, you write that?”

The beach was one of Mary’s favorite places to be in her down time. The water was relaxing, the sand felt nice beneath her feet, and fishing had become one of her favorite pastimes since moving out to the valley. She often had Amelia or Sofi accompanying her, but for right now she was by herself. Or so she thought. The sound of a guitar melody and a gentle voice greeted her as she got closer to the dock, and she stopped to listen to the rest of it before Carson noticed she was there. “Only a minute!” Mary assured him quickly. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop - but it was really nice. You have a great voice.” She dropped down to sit in the sand beside him. “Did you write that?”

“If only she made me fried pickles and tacos. That sounds delicious right now. But no, she made a burger full of lies and sadness.” Haley exhaled a very dramatic sigh with a roll of her wide eyes. “You spoil me, Car. I’m buying next time!” Though she knew he’d never let her. Still, she hooked her arm through his to pull him towards the saloon with her.

“Guess what Emily made for lunch. Go ahead, guess.” Haley didn’t give them enough time to guess, bursting out with an answer before they had any chance to speak. “Quinoa burgers. Doesn’t that just make you wanna hurl?” Her eyes rolled melodramatically. “Anyway. Come to the saloon with me to get something more edible to eat. I hate going in there by myself. But I’ll buy you whatever you want to eat to say thanks or whatever.”

derek discanio | he/his |male| hey, you know carson baker? i’m pretty sure they’re 25 and have lived here for 25 years. they spend most of their time at the stardrop saloon but also go to the beach a lot. if you ask me, they can be charming, but also blunt at times. if you want to get on their good side, give them a void ghost pendant next time you see them! | mikey, 29, he/his, pst