unwritten

With all the festivities going on, things were getting a little exhausting. It was why Harrison had slipped away from the crowds and down one of the allies. He knew that could be dangerous, that you didn’t know what lay in the shadows. But really, why would he be worried about someone attacking him? He could easily fight them off, he knew that. He sighed to himself, lighting up a cigarette. Bad habit maybe, but it was needed one now. Hearing someone stop walking near him he turned slightly, “yeah I know, bad habit, will kill me” he said before another lecture. “If you’re looking for the barbecue, it’s back that way” he said, pointing in the direction. He knew he was the last person to be giving directions, he’d barely been there a week.

Drew had laid low the week of the festivities, working and enjoying the vibe. It was much different than she was used to, it was a different kind of hustle and bustle of the big cities. She had some time to kill, but didn’t exactly want to be in the center of things, so she had taken to walking the backstreets. “Hey, I’m not here to judge, just escape,” she laughed, holding up her hands. “I know, trust me. For such a seemingly small town, they sure throw some big parties. I walked down main street earlier and felt like I was in some kind of lifetime movie”

@drewmckinleys

Quinn Reynolds, although ever the badass, did have somewhat of a soft side. If nothing else, she felt that she had a constant duty of care to those around her. Sometimes, she couldn’t quite believe how much of a change there had been in her from her teenage years - but she still looked back on them fondly enough. However, that duty of care extended to the girls that worked in the bar alongside her. Quinn had a way of knowing when someone was in need, and her newest employee, Drew, seemed to fall into that category. They’d both been scheduled in on the closing shift that night, and whilst wiping down a table top, Quinn paused and turned to catch the girl’s attention.

“Hey, Drew-” She began, dropping her cloth and turning to lean back against the table, “Got a quick question for ya. Are you still tryin’ to live out of your car, or did you manage to find a place yet? ‘Cause I might be able to help you out.”

Moving to Raeford had been a little rocky for Drew, but she was used to it. She was comfortable with uncertainty, and good at making due with what she had. Granted, she thought she would have more figured out by now, but that is what happens when you move out of passion and emotion, rather than doing things the logical way. Having gotten a job as soon as she had arrived helped, especially because it was something she loved. Drew already felt comfortable at Tappin’ Boots, it was her kind of place. 

Drew smiled to herself, thinking about how far she had come, and how she had chosen to uproot everything she had, just to chase a dream. “Hm?” she looked up, the question interrupting her thoughts, “Oh uh, well...” Drew trailed off, setting the dish bucket down on the table, “I have been sleeping in it mostly, I do get a motel room every other day or so, so I can shower and stuff. It’s really not that bad,” she blinked for a moment, her brain at first not catching the last bit, “Oh, really? Do you know of somewhere?”

It wasn’t someone that Riley recognised, and at her words, her grip on her bag tightened. It was bad enough that she didn’t know the other girl, but now to hear her comment about murderers… she was sure that she was overthinking it, but it was just her how mind worked. There was too much darkness in the world, and she would always assume the worst in people, even though logically she knew that most of them didn’t deserve it. “No, it’s fine… just jumpy” she tried to explain, certain that it wasn’t really a good explanation, but finding herself struggling for words. “I just didn’t realise anyone was walking around this late, probably should expect it this time of year”. 

“Oh well, I’m sorry anyway, probably could have been paying more attention to my surroundings, I’m still just taking everything in. ya know? Getting used to it here.” Drew smiled, “Yeah, although I haven’t seen too many people out, but of course, I’m used to living in much larger cities, this is quite smaller than I am used to.” As she got closer she pulled her headphone out of her ear, tucking her phone into her pocket to pay the other girl her full attention, “I’m Drew by the way, I’m still sorta new around here, I work at the bar, but I still haven’t had the chance to meet a lot of people..”

“They’re around here pretty often,” Jessica told Drew. “I’m pretty sure that I’ve seen them every night they come to hear me sing and that they are as annoying now as they were every other night.” She still sported some kind of annoyed look on her face, but she was sure that would shake it off once she had a few more drinks and was able to unwind. Not that she supported men grabbing women’s ass without their consent, but the day had been so rough and everything had gone past her like a blur that she needed to concentrate on feeling less than annoyed. “It’s okay — I don’t want to bother Quinn with these two dipshits, I just want to get my drinking on before I punch someone in the face. Not you, though — your face is too lovely.”

“Yeah? Well. I guess there isn’t much to do here in Raeford, at least that I’ve found so far.” She shrugged, tending to another customer before moving back, “You are really good by the way, your singing, you sing here often, right?” Drew nodded, before reaching under the bar and pouring a little extra into the glass she gave the other woman, “The first couple are on me, okay?” Drew grinned, “Well thank you, I do like to keep my face as unpunched as possible, not that I can’t handle myself, but I do prefer to dish it rather than take it.”

Normally Riley wouldn’t be out so late, though really it was still only early evening. She knew she was being paranoid, but she just felt safer if she was home by then, nothing ever happened there. But she had gone for a walk in the afternoon and lost track of time. Now as she walked home she was sure that she could hear footsteps behind her. Anywhere else in town she’d have shrugged it off, but this was a quiet street normally. “Someone there?” she asked as she turned, not really able to see anything. 

One of the side effects of growing up the way Drew did was her confidence and comfortability in situations most were not. She grew up in the shadows, she was used to walking alone, walking down unsavory big city streets was easy, and traversing Raeford alone didn’t cause her any unsettled feelings. In fact, she preferred it. Walking around in the evening was nice, less hot, and it allowed her to gain knowledge of her new home. Drew was so engrossed in her own thoughts she hadn’t even noticed the other girls presence, “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you if I did,” She drew closer to the voice, “I sometimes have a really light step, it was kind of a running joke I was a vampire or like a murderer growing up, I’ve always been good at accidentally scaring people”

Jessica was no stranger to Tappin’ Boots, in fact, she lent her voice to the bar every weekend. As she wrapped up her latest gig, with the whole band behind her cheering and so most of the crowd, she said her thank yous and made her way off the stage. She liked being on stage, actually she loved it and felt rather untouchable while she was there.

On her way to the bar, she greeted the usual tenants that were familiar to her and some that were not so familiar, with smiles and kind words. The blonde, however, didn’t expect some rude and obviously drunk men who made their way close to her, one speaking closely (too closely) who was pushed and another one who, unfortunately, took advantage of her distraction to slap her ass. Her nostrils flared up immediately and she turned around with her hand ready to slap someone across the face, but they were both long gone and laughing. She turned back to the bar with a groan and looked at the bartender. “You know what? Just give me the strongest drink you have, Joe, before I go out on a killin’ spree.”

Drew had settled in nicely to her new routine. Her job at Tappin’ Boots was enjoyable, she had started to remember the regulars names, and their orders, and had found her groove behind the bar. She had been wiping down the bar, here eyes scanning the crowed when she spotted the incident. “I have been giving them watered drinks for two hours, they’ve just been here since four in the afternoon, kind of sad if you ask me,” she mumbled, quickly taking over her order and fixing the drink. “Want me to say something? I'm sure the owner would support having them leave for behavior like that”

bookstore is a frequented spot by the ginger, shelves surrounding with the next adventure to whisk her off. In truth, fiction was her favorite but it didn’t stop her from grabbing something more informational, trying to stay on top of the ever-changing pace of the medical field. hues glance down to worn watch on her wrist, making sure she has just enough time to grab something before dashing off to the clinic. On slow days, a book was her best friend, but those days were far and few in between. Being the only source of medical care in the town, all cases had to eventually come through the clinic at first. But it wasn’t like Faye seemed to mind, the long hours were rewarding in their own right. Slender digits reach to grab an intriguing title, before pulling back taking notice of the other who also seemed interested in same novel. “ Murder Mysteries are a favorite of mine, I love all the suspense.” warm smile given as she makes small talk. 

Since arriving in town, Drew had tried to lay low, and tried to get a feel for the place. She had always loved books growing up, a sort of guilty pleasure for her, so spending hours in the bookstore was an exciting adventure. Drew had meandered down all the aisles starting from the front, her eyes scanning over all the books, plucking those that interested her to find out more. She had been so focused on the titles that she didn’t notice the other girl, “Sorry!” she laughed, before also pulling her hand back, “Yeah, they are pretty good. I like trying to guess what will happen next, makes me feel like Sherlock Holmes a bit I think.”

Now this was something you didn’t see in Raeford every day. Hell, Harper rarely even got in calls to the police department about people like this. As she sipped on her milkshake from Anna’s Cafe, she found herself eyeing the stranger as she talked, wondering if she happened to be on drugs. Who just jumps out of their car with a toothbrush hanging out of their mouth? “Right, okay,” she responded, letting the straw dangle from her lips as she smiled. “We got a guest house just around the corner if you’re interested in that. It’s nice and cozy, got some freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies too,” she added on. “Not sure what the rate is though, I’ve never stayed there myself.”

Drew was relieved when she caught the strangers attention, and she took a few moments to try and make herself look marginally more presentable. She knew she must have looked a crazed and flustered mess, not that she particularized minded it. Be anything but forgettable, she would always tell herself. Drew turned attention back to the passerby, and smiled as she spoke. Sounds expensive, she thought, but she didn’t voice her concern, thankful that she had stopped to lend help in the first place. “Guest House? Thank you! Do you happen to know anywhere else, just in case they are all booked? But really though, thank you--Oh, I’m Drew by the way, I don’t recall if I mentioned that before, sorry.”

Jacob really wished that he could say that he wasn’t hungover, but once again, he was. It was something he had done too many times, and right now it was only happening more and more often. He knew he should try and do it less, but it was the only coping method he had ever learnt. So the moment someone ran up to him, he could feel the headache worsening already. “A couple of days?” he asked, looking her up and down, “you have heard of google right? Pretty sure that would have solved the entire problem. This place isn’t that out of date”.

Drew took a few moments to gather herself as he spoke and eyed her, tugging her clothes back into place and tucking her toothbrush in her back pocket. His words drew a small laugh, “I don’t own a laptop, and I have a flip phone from a gas station, and even it is almost out of minutes. So, I don’t exactly have google capabilities at my fingertips.” She shrugged, “I guess maybe I am the one out of date.” Drew shifted, crossing her arms over her chest, “Besides, isn’t that what everyone is on about now? Less reliance on technology, more human interaction? But, of course, if you don’t want to point me in the right direction you certainly don’t have to, I just thought I would at least ask.”

Bex smiled at the young woman, more than pleased with her company given she was the one providing her with alcohol. “Thanks.” She nodded, lifting the bottle to her lips. She laughed, “I think everyone under thirty looks like they’re twelve; you’re in good company, I’m sure.” She lifted her hand to shake the other woman’s. “Bex. Nice to meet you, Drew. Where are you from?” She asked, waving off her comment. “You’re serving drinks and you didn’t lose your shit when a brawl broke out; you seem perfectly qualified to me.”

“Oh well, I’m thrifty-two,” Drew frowned for a moment, knitting her brows before grinning, “Just kidding, I’m twenty-three.” Drew wiped her hand off on a clean rag before extending it, giving a short but firm shake, “Nice to meet you too.” Letting out a little laugh she replied, “A little bit of everywhere? I came here from Atlanta though.” Drew took to cleaning her station as she continued to talk with Bex, “Yeah, last summer I tended in Jersey, so I am used to things getting a little crazy I guess. What do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Gia nodded, pressing the cigarette to her lips and inhaling deeply. “Yeah, no problem.” She nodded, offering the younger woman a smile as she exhaled again. She laughed, understanding her predicament. “Yeah, I’ve been there. Where’d you get a job? Or have you gotten one yet?” She turned, nodding her head. “Yeah, I’m a tattoo artist. We’re always lookin’ for a secretary if you need the money.” She commented. She waved off her apology. “You’re fine, don’t worry about it. Good to meet ya, Drew.”

“Oh, I applied to Tappin’ Boots the day I came into town, they needed a bartender, and I got the job,” she smiled, “I’ll probably be given some shit shifts though since I’m the newbie.” Drew perked up, “That’s really awesome, I have always admired that kind of art, that’s cool.” She shifted on her feet, crossing her arms, “Really? Do you know what the hours would be like? I might be lookin’ for a second job depending on what my housing situation ends up being.” Drew smiled, “It’s nice to meet you as well”

Gia walked out of INK’D, lighting up a cigarette that she held loosely between her lips. She pulled the cigarette away from her lips, exhaling deeply as she headed towards the general direction of her apartment. She was stopped just a few steps out, sighing as she turned- half expecting someone to start screaming about her brothers and some bad cocaine they dealt to them. “Yeah?” She asked, more than hesitant as she took in the unfamiliar face. Her brows knitted together as she spotted the toothbrush. She nodded, relieved this conversation wasn’t hostile. “Yeah, um,” She tapped the excess from her cigarette as she turned to point towards the closet motel. “It’s down the road, about six blocks or so. And it should be on your right.” She thought for a moment, “It’s Thursday, so.. Ricky should be working the front desk. Tell him you’re a friend of Gia’s and he should give you a discount. It’s already pretty cheap but every penny counts, right?”

Drew managed to pull the toothbrush out her mouth and Gia spoke, wiping her face and making herself look a little more presentable. “Six? Okay, awesome, thank you so much, really.. Gia,” she smiled, “Yeah, and I’m counting them all till my first paycheck here.” She glanced back at the shop the blonde had left, “You work there I suppose? Or..? Oh shit, I’m Drew by the way, I forgot to mention, sorry, kind of rude.”

Eli had stopped to lean down and tie Lily’s shoelace when he heard a voice behind him and stood up, scooping the toddler into his arms and turning to face the girl who had spoken. “Huh?” He frowned a little at the toothbrush in her mouth as Lily giggled, but Elliot quickly noted the all too familiar situation - he and Lily had spent far too long living out of his truck after the custody battle, and he hated to see anyone in the same situation. “The Raeford Guest House is right on down the road and to your left. They’re pretty cheap, if you explain your situation to them they’ll help you work things out.”

Drew knew she must have been a sight to see, frazzled, tired, toothpaste dripping all over, but she didn’t feel embarrassed, she hardly ever did. She pulled the toothbrush out, wiping her mouth and smiling at the pair, “Guest House? Okay, thank you. I really appreciate it.” She turned her attention to the little one he was holding, giving her a little wave, “You look mighty pretty today,” looking back up she smiled, “I’m Drew, by the way, I don’t remember if I mentioned that before I bombarded you.”

Upon hearing another voice, Bex turned to face the younger woman. She looked unfamiliar, which was strange to Bex. She knew almost everyone in town, she made sure of that fact. “Wouldn’t surprise me at all.” She laughed, shaking her head as she set her nearly empty beer bottle down. She nodded, having grown tired to drinking a lukewarm beer. “Sure, that’d be great.” She leaned forward, studying her face once more. “Yeah, you’re not just too young- I don’t know you. I take it you’re new here?”

Drew smiled at the other brunette, “Sure thing,” she turned quickly, reaching far inside the beer cooler to pull another out. She swapped the drinks quickly, placing a new coaster and the new icy beer down, “Here you go.” Tossing the empty bottle she laughed, “Yeah, and I guess it doesn’t help I kind of look like a twelve year old still. But I am new.” She turned back to face her, leaning on the bar slightly, “I’m Drew, I just got in town a few days ago, say the ‘Help Wanted’ sign when I came through the first day, walked in and basically was hired on the spot. I am highly qualified though, don’t worry,” she added quickly with a laugh. 

It wasn’t uncommon to find Bex at Tappin’ Boots after she finally left the Raeford Herald. She spent far too much time at work and usually felt like doing nothing but going back to her house and drinking alone. However, after several long, painful conversations with her friends and with her mother, Bex allotted herself a few hours a week of ‘normal’ human interaction and Tappin’ Boots was her best option to interact with other people without having to actually interact with other people. It also wasn’t uncommon for a fight to break out a few feet away from where Bex was peacefully sipping on her beer. She heard the all too familiar sounds of a fight, causing her to turn. She watched as a one of the two men took a hard hit in the jaw. “Jesus Christ,” Bex watched in slight amusement and slight disgust as the two men went at it. She never understood the point of fighting with fists; fighting words were always her specialty.

Having secured the job only days ago, It was Drew’s first night tending at Tappin’ Boots. It wasn’t a new experience to her, she had tended and been a patron at far worse bars, and the fight didn’t phase her. Drew grabbed a rag from behind the bar, wiping down the top before making eye contact with her manager, and moved towards the other woman, “I think it’s over some money. The taller one I think lost a bet, heard them arguing about it earlier after their ninth beer,” she laughed. She tossed the dirty rag in the bin before motioning to Bex’s drink, “You need another yet?”