Close Your Eyes

Winnie had been walking back from work when the class had caught her attention. She’d always been interested in dancing, u usually she had two left feet. Her eyes widened as the other walked over, smiling sheepishly. “Sorry, I was just watching. You’re very good. I suck at dancing.”

Juliet rolled her eyes as she responded to the text message confirming that she would be drinking alone tonight. Slipping into one of the stools, she shoved her phone in her pocket, grinning as the other smile at her before waving he bartender over. “I’d offer you a drink but it already looks kinda full. Slow drinker, or just arrived?”

Luv couldn’t argue with him on that, they’d both been determined to make better for themselves and knew an education was critical for that. “To get our degrees and come back here?” She prompted, though, it wasn’t a secret that despite her shaky life in High School, the foster girl felt a sense of belonging in the town. Luv moved the stroller back and forth slowly as she heard Wren start to fuss. It took only a few seconds for her to settle back into sleep, though. “It definitely feels like it. What’ve you been up to for past megaannum?” At the mention of a penthouse, she laughed, “More like a decent scholarship, a position teaching English at the high school, and a house that in recent months has been taken over by three very energetic little girls.” She looked back to the playground to see the two older girls going down the slide together. “Don’t let Wren’s sleeping fool you, she gets cheerios everywhere.”

Cole couldn’t help but give a small chuckle at her response. “I taught you well enough that you grew up to teach other people, the literal definition of the student becoming the teacher,” he said, playfully. “I own the vet down the road, it’s been a long road, but I’m pretty happy about where I’m at right now.” Honestly, the only thing he feels like he’s missed out on so far is starting a family. “Well, you seem to be killing it at this whole mother thing. Someday I’ll have little ruggrats of my own, but that’s likely years away still,” he said, with a small shrug.

Her cheeks on seemed to darken at his words, “Thank you, you didn’t have to.” Gabby glanced down at her mug shyly, biting her bottom lip. Carefully, she wrapped her hands around the drink, glad to have something to busy them, and warm them. She always ran cold, despite the climate. “I love to bake, so it’s helpful to have people willing to eat the results for me.” While the brunette did have a sweet tooth, she rarely indulged it. After blowing carefully on her drink and taking a sip, she reached for her bag and pulled out the container and set it in front of him. “I’ve got plenty at home, so, you can have these and I’ll bring another batch for my friend tomorrow.”

Cole couldn’t help but give her a smile. “Well, I’ll be happy to eat your baked goods whenever you need someone,” he said, before pulling one out of the container. “Damn, yep, I’ll take anything you make because this shit is really good,” he said, not even exaggerating to make her feel good. “I honestly can’t bake or cook for the life of me, I eat out or do take out most of the time. 

Luv was excited by the news. If she could enroll Paisley in a class at the hub, it’d be one less stop on their crazy afternoon schedule. “Nala’s six. It’d be great to have something here for her.” And it’d get a bit of her energy out. “She just has school and otherwise we’re pretty wide open.”

Iris gave her a smile. “I love that name,” she said, before giving a nod. “I have a 5-7 age class at 4 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,” she offered, before glancing at her notebook. “I still have a few slots so we should be good to add her in if that works for you.” 

She couldn’t help but laugh at his response. Ela definitely had made out like a bandit with that arrangement; food, sex, and no strings. “I mean, you’re not wrong about that. 😅” She replied, and didn’t waste much time finishing up after that.

On her way over she stopped and grabbed a can of whipped cream and jar of cherries (her favorite), but arrived on time, as promised. She knocked and waited for him to answer, holding up her purchase for him to see. “I figured since you brought dinner, I’d be dessert.”

Ryan got home a few minutes before she arrived, which worked out perfectly. He had a few minutes to get comfortable before she made his day a million times better. He turned the tv on and pulled up Netflix so that they can pretend to watch something. When he heard a knock on the door, he could feel the smirk forming on his lip. “Damn... you’re catering to every one of my sweet teeth,” he said, as he let his hands reach down to her hips. 

“Sure,” She smiled, grateful for the invite, “Do you have an idea of where you want to go?”As long as she got her tea, Gabby was open to anything. Even if she didn’t get her tea, she probably wouldn’t complain anyway. “I don’t have another client for about the same amount. I did, but one of them canceled last minute, so I have a bit of free time.”

“I always get so nosy when people cancel lessons, like what happened...” Iris said, with a small smile. “I just feel like there’s always a story I don’t get to hear.” When she asked where they she wanted to go she took a moment to try to remember the spots she’s seen since she moved here. “Uhh.. is the breakfast spot still opened?”

Phineas stared at the other, before arching an eyebrow at his comment. “Well, I’m gay,” He deadpanned, “And strip clubs definitely aren’t my thing either way. You know there’s other reasons why people would carry around cash, right?”

Ferah knew that sneaking into the kitchen was probably a bad idea, she was not supposed to be there. Her heart was racing as she walked into the kitchen, looking around her. She was surprised that she hadn’t been caught yet and just as that thought had allowed itself in her brain, a voice suddenly sounded from a man who was obviously the head chef. So he was exactly the man that she had been searching for.

“I am actually not lost. I was searching for you.” The first part of her sentence came out rather doubtful before she finally found some volume in her voice and became more sure of what she was about to say / ask him. “I know that I am not supposed to be here but I was hoping that I could ask for a rather big favour because I just really want to become a good chef as well and well… that’s basically the reason why I ended up here.” Ferah realized that she was rambling so she quickly stopped herself before asking the question she had come to ask in the end. “I wondered if you would have some spare time where I could get some cooking classes?”

A night out at the Pitcher Perfect Bar was never wrong. She was definitely up for some pool later on the night but right now she just wanted to enjoy her drink. Ronnie was one who rather drank the strong stuff instead of the mixed drinks so she was being rather doubtful about what to order. She looked at the man sitting next to her and eyed the scotch he was holding in his hand. “How is the scotch here? Should I order one?”

Stella wanted to try new things and well why not try a hip hop class. Only thing was her timing was never good and she was late, pretty late actually but she walked in right as the instructor was announcing a water break. “Oh hey, I was wondering if it was too late for me to join in.”

It started with a putter that Sam, admittedly, ignored at first—far too preoccupied with the shipment she was delivering to one of her parents’ friends (Mrs. Crabtree, who was 88 and, as she was wont to remind every Davenport who approached her, retired from teaching math at Dixon Elementary solely because of Lip; but she had an old pitbull named Blue that Sam liked pet, so she didn’t mind tuning out the griping about her hellion of a brother). 

In retrospect, she was idiot. Four years of mowing lawns to save up for it, and then another seven years spent driving primarily around Wakefield and the surrounding area, and with a sputtering cough, the truck came to a halt in the middle of bumfuck nowhere. She kept her hands on the wheel long after the vehicle had died, staring up at the ceiling as she contemplated what she’d done in life to deserve one of her worst nightmares coming true. Why? Of all the times to croak, why in the hell did it wait until she was surrounded by nothing except fruit trees and farmland that was still a good mile away from home?

And then, ever so softly, a gentle whisper broke the silence.

“… Shit.”

Cole doesn’t leave town all that often, but someone asked for a housecall for a horse and he didn’t have anyone available. So, he made the trip and did it himself. It wasn’t too far out of the way, so he was able to get close to home at a reasonable time. He noticed the truck pulled over, and he almost drove past before realizing that someone was still in it. Pulling over to the side, he walked over to where the truck was. “Hey, do you need some help?” 

Elanur was at the office still, which wasn’t the norm, but not altogether unusual. She had gotten a lot of questions that week and was trying to go through them before the next edition. Having almost finished, she felt her phone buzz and checked it. Ryan’s messages weren’t all too unusual, but still, she was happy he’d texted her. A small smile pulled at her lips. Normally, she wouldn’t want to seem too eager with a guy, but they were just friends with benefits and she was sure he’d gotten used to her quick replies by now.

“Sure. I have a little more work to do, but I can be there in 20? If you bring me curly fries and a buffalo chicken wrap, I’ll make it worth your while. 😘😘 “ She sent back, before moving her hands back to the keyboard of her computer to answer her second to last question.  

Ryan didn’t do friends with benefits often because a lot of women get attached, and he isn’t about that, but Elanur was nice to have around. She had a good energy, she always replied quickly, which made it easy to keep her as a first choice. “20 minutes is perfect, I’ll make sure it’s as hot and ready as you are. ;)” he sent, before getting his stuff ready. He waited a few minutes to get it started to make sure it didn’t sit too much before she would get the chance to eat it. 

She’d already had 4 sessions that day, but there was a break in her schedule, so Gabrielle decided to take her break. Maybe she’d grab a tea and read her book for a bit, but the universe seemed to have other plans. Not that she was complaining. “Oh, hey Iris. Yeah, I’m just about to. I need some tea. Are you?” Gabby was always happy to have company. Her chatty personality was proof of that, as was her desire to please others. “Did you have a class this morning?”

“Yeah, I have like an hour and some before my next class so I was thinking about getting coffee or something to help me get through the day,” Iris said, with a light tone. “Do you want to go somewhere together?” she asked, not really feeling like chilling by herself for the next hour. She was always more extroverted, so she naturally gravitated towards people with a good energy. 

Phineas had just left Claire’s shop, a little bit frazzled. He loved his sister, but she was definitely a little much at times. Especially when she was ranting about one thing or another, Phineas had lost track about five minutes in. His head had been in the clouds when a voice snapped him back to reality, causing him to startle slightly. “Bill?” Phineas’ bros furrowed together, before his eyes widened in realisation. “Oh, right, thanks,” he reached round, grabbing the cash from his back pocket before frowning at it slightly. He really ought to invest in a wallet, but instead, he shoved it in the inner pocket of his jacket. “I appreciate it.”

Luv had been at the hub with the girls getting her workout in while they were at the daycare center. It was nice to have a place where she could go with them, but do her own thing for a bit. She had just gotten done with her pilates class when she saw the dance lesson pause. Her oldest foster daugher had been asking about dance classes since finding out one of her friends at school took them, but Luv wasn’t certain it was at the hub. “Hey, would you happen to know if there are children’s dance lessons offered here, or anywhere around town?”

Iris heard a voice at the door and offered her a smile. “Yes, actually. I teach a couple of dance classes for kids during the week. How old is the child?” she asked, before taking a sip from her water bottle. “I have a few slots open in a few times so I should be able to work with you.” 

Gabrielle wasn’t big on bars, but Damien worked there and she’d hoped to see him. When the man next to her smiled, Gabby’s cheeks flushed bright red and she offered shy smile back, playing with a lock of her hair. “Can I get a Hot Toddy, no honey please?” She asked the bartender, which wasn’t Damien.  “My friend works here.” The brunette told her companion, feeling the urge to fill the silence. “I brought him a holiday card and cookies, but I don’t see him working tonight.”

Cole couldn’t exactly ignore the girl speaking, it was like she was sunshine every word that came out of her mouth was a ray. “You can put that on my tab,” he said, as the bartender handed her the drink. “Well, they seriously missed out, that's really sweet.”