phD

“It’s not worth it. It’s not worth it. It’s not worth it. You don’t even have a lime, it won’t taste good.” Gracie was mumbling to herself, finding that saying it out loud actually made it a real problem, even if she looked crazy. She felt crazy, if she were being honest. “Even one sip, it’s not gonna change anything. Water.” Taking a chug of her water, she took in a deep breath and looked back at the shot, about to reach out to dump it in her water (that waters it down, right?), but someone walked up and interrupted her self destruction. Looking at the man, she pulled the shot a little closer to her and smiled. “No, please, um, have a seat.” Taking a smaller sip of her water, she took a calming breath. “I’m Gracie. What brings you here?” In the early afternoon, at a table of someone about to self destruct.

tanner didn’t even know the girl. in fact, he’d never seen her at any of the bars and a part of him wondered if she was new into town or not. just because he’d never seen her, doesn’t mean she wasn’t from here and he had to realize that. he noticed her mumbling to herself but he decided not to say anything to her about it. of course, he didn’t know what she said or what it was even about and maybe she was trying to get through something. anyways, who was he to judge? he nodded his head and took a seat across from her, taking a sup from his own drink. “hey, gracie. i’m tanner.” he paused, furrowing his eyebrows. “like what brings me to the bar or what brings me to the table or tupelo?” he questioned.

@tupeloextras​

“we are,” luca nodded. he’d met a few people that had only moved recently and it was actually rather comforting for him. he couldn’t properly explain why, but it seemed that most people in tupelo had grown up there, which meant they may not be open to new people and connections. new people didn’t have that option. “that’s very fair.  after being here, i’m not sure i’d want to go back to living in la either. it’s nice in some ways, having options and people, but it’s a lot.” he cocked his head slightly when he heart tanner worked at the hospital, because he should have recognized him. “i also work at the hospital. i’m an audiology resident.”

tanner didn’t think that it was a bad thing that the same people that grew up here stayed here because he probably would’ve stayed in his home town had everything now happened the way that it did. he didn’t mind florida so much before but now, it was the worst place he wcould be and he didn’t see himelf going back any time soon. “la must be crowded too, right? do you ever miss parts of it?” he wondered. “that’s definitely where i’ve seen you before then.”

Maverick directed a brillant grin in Tanner’s direction, though her plea of non judgement was made in jest she was still reassured he didn’t find her actions ill-mannered. Even at thirty two the habits instilled by her impertinent mother took precedence over many aspects of her demeanor. Appearances are everything Maverick, remember that. Then again if her mother knew she was parading about in a prostitute costume she’d probably drag her to the nearest church to get re baptized. “Thank you, truly. It was entirely unplanned” she admitted, tucking her messy curls behind her ear. “I hadn’t even decided I was coming till about twenty four hours ago then I was scramblin’ to throw something decent together. Thank the lord for tye dye and wig shops”. Maverick was certain if the majority of the crowd present wasn’t drunk off their ass they’d notice how flawed her last minute ensemble was. 

Maverick eyed Tanner’s ‘costume’ with a slight chuckle. “Really loving your costume, by the way” her eyes twinkled with gentle mockery. “Going for the subtle look I’m assumin’” she nudged his side playfully, quirking her head. “How are you liking your first big Tupelo shindig, we sure know how to liquor up a crowd don’t we?” 

tanner didn’t even think about what his family would think about his move. he knew his mom probably wouldn’t be impressed with the southern town he decided to reside in but he opinion became irrelevant when she took his step dad’s side in their falling out. he didn’t regret moving away and he didn’t regret cutting his familiy off because he knew it was for the best. everything happened for a reason and everything had been looking up since the moment he left law school and moved onto pre med. that wasn’t what was important right now. he had a new life and he knew he should focus on it and who he met here and who could replace those holes in his life. “i didn’t think i was going to get off of work in time so i didn’t even think about a costume or even coming until today when they told me my last appointment was canceled. so, i got lucky.” that’s one of the other reasons he didn’t have a costume on and really, he almost just went home but he figured that he might as well stop in, especially since it was for such a good cause. “it’s been cool so far. i’ve been hanging out with this girl ayla. she’s cool. do you know her?”

“New people always stand out. They’re often the ones looking around.” Ayla explained with a small smile on her face as she placed her hands upon her hips. “I’d love to have my first dance with you.” The brunette winked as she stepped back and lead him towards the dance floor just in time for it to turn to a softer song. Inching closer, she placed her arms around his neck. “It’s a little odd to see all these people dancing in costumes.” She snorted as she looked up at him. “Feeling a little less overwhelmed?”

“so, i was pretty obvious, huh?” tanner asked, a small chuckle leaving his lips. if he stood out, he knew that couldn’t be the worst thing to happen. maybe more people would approach him if he stood out. who knew? “you haven’t danced yet?” he was surprised. she was beautiful and he knew some guy was bound to snatch her up before he could get here. he followed her and moved his arms around her waist, smiling down at her and nodding in agreement. “it makes this song a little less serious, doesn’t it?” he rested his hands on the small of her back and nodded. “yeah. thanks for saving me. i owe you.”

Romeo stood there taking a sip of his drink for a moment, “What kind of doctor are you though?” He looked at him as he felt the small pain that ran through him after being hit. He laughed a little looking over at the guy for a moment, “Are you sure you can do this right now? How much have you drunk? I am okay I promise. I don’t feel it too much.” He sighed taking a sip of his drink, “Okay Okay, I will let you look at it but don’t do anything to damage my face.” 

“an anesthesiologist.” he informed the male after he asked. tanner wasn’t sure how many people knew what that was but he didn’t mind elaborating if the man wanted to know. “i have only had one drink. i’m find to take a look at you.” tanner reassured, his eyebrows furrowed as he tried to study what he had going on. “you look find to me but i can’t see in this lighting.”

“I thought you came from the big city and you think this is a lot of people?” Ayla asked with a little laugh but she got it since he was a fish out of water and perhaps didn’t think this many people even lived in town. Pushing a strand of hair from her face, she nodded her head. “You stood out since you were wandering and looking around.” She’d easily plucked him out and brought him to the wayside where he wouldn’t drown amidst the crowd. “I’m glad I could save you from that. I like to think I can provide a bit more entertainment than you drinking on your own.”

“it’s a lot of people in such a small venue is what i meant. i also wasn’t sure this many people lived here.” he admitted, a small chuckle escaping his lips. tanner was pleased by the turn out, especially since the profits were going toward charity. “i stood out? i was hoping to blend it at some point but i guess walking around and looking like a lost puppy isn’t going to help me blend in, is it?” either way, he was happy to see a familiar face. “i’m sure you can. maybe we could get out there and join the dance floor. what do you say?”

“It tends to be a yearly thing but sometimes we get more people than usual.” She told him with a smile as she looked around. “I know, I’m pretty sure I’m seeing people in double.” She couldn’t tell anymore with all the costumes but that was what made it fun. Some people had some really good costumes. “Because I get to do some good deeds for you such as show you around and get you some drinks.” She explained with a little laugh. Her shoulder rose and fell. “Who’s to judge nowadays but I do think they were meant to be babies. It’s so original.” She said with a roll of her eyes. “I took the day off yes, but your work is a little more than just work. You get to help people and I’m sure you see some crazy things.”

“well, it seems like one of those years where you guys got more people than usual. it’s amazing though, truly.” tanner was shocked at how many people were so willing to show up, especially since the proceeds were going to charity. maybe that’s why it wa sso huge. “i get that. it’s insane in here but thankfully, you seemed to find me in this huge crowd.” he smiled at her. ayla was nice and one of the girst people that genuinely seemed interested in befriending him. “i definitely do see some crazy things. i’m glad you took the night off though. i probably would’ve hung around your bar instead and bothered you for the night.”

“yeah, locals around here are crazy for doctors. that’s why i became one.” grant laughed at tanner, before finishing the rest of his fifth drink of the night, already becoming very buzzed. “yeah man, growing up here, did not make the best connections, especially with the law enforcment if you know. getting into as much trouble as i did back then, you’re bound to make more than enough enemies.” he shrugged.it off. his past was mostly behind him so he always tried to move on. “being friendly here is a good trait. there’s a lot of good ones around here, and your a doctor. you’re gonna be just fine.”

“then again, who isn’t crazy about a doctor? i don’t think i’ve ever met someone unimpressed by meeting someone that’s a doctor. i think that they just realize how hard it is to actually have to go through the schooling and everything else.” he laughed and shook his head, “i do not see you as someone who would get into any trouble but hey, you’re older now. maybe you’ve changed.” he figured asking about his past wasn’t something he should do and so he was okay with moving on. “i’m sure that’s true.”

“me? not really,” luca shook his head, “i’ve been here for six months and i moved here from los angeles.” the man looked vaguely familiar and luca was trying hard to place exactly why. of course, the town wasn’t that big, so it was possible they’d walked by each other on the street and it was as simple as that, but he didn’t think so. “i’ve never been to florida actually, i’ve heard it’s really nice,” he smiled, “what do you do for a living? sorry if that’s a weird question, i’m just trying to figure out why you look familiar.”

“hey, i’ve been here about that long. sounds like we’re both in the same boat.” he chuckled and pushed his fingers through his hair. tanner liked that he wasn’t the only person who made the decision to move to such a small town. “it’s alright. humid and crowded so i definitely wouldn’t go back but hey, everyone has a different opinion and everyone should visit at least once, i guess.” he wasn’t going back any time soon but he figured the man didn’t need to know that. “i work at the hospital. i’m an anethesiologist.” he informed him, “and you? what do you do?”

“At least you have your face uncovered because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to find you in the crowd.” The brunette admitted as she had been looking for him in the hope that he didn’t feel alone. She could barely recognize people so she couldn’t imagine how hard it was for someone who was new in town. “Good. You’re going to help me work out my karma.” She said with a grin as she folded her arms over her chest. “It suits you and people have come in less creative costumes, believe it or not. I swear someone just decided to wear their pijamas.” Her head shook before she turned and moved to the bar. “Two rums and cokes,” Ayla asked the bartender before looking back at Tanner. “How was work today?”

“i know. what a turn out this was. is this like an every year thing and is it always this big? i gotta say, i wasn’t even sure there was this many people in tupelo.” he joked toward the end, a smile cracking over his face. tanner appreciated the fact that she was so willing to keep him company because obviously, he was hoping someone would tonight. “and how am i going to do that?” he questioned, his eyebrows raised in curiosity. at this point, he was down for anything as long as he still got to spend some time with the girl. “i don’t know how pajamas count as a costume. maybe if it were a onesie, like a character or something but normal pajamas don’t count, i don’t think.” he sat down at the bar once they made it there but faced her. “it was work. same old stuff but it was good either way. did you take the day off?”

She continued to dab at the notebook to soak up most of the liquid but most of were sopping wet, not all the pages were ruined and that was relief to her. Larken placed napkins between the wet pages to keep them from bleeding through to the others. When hearing the older man speaking to her again, she returned her gaze up to him. “Okay, you can buy me another and no, it’s not going to make me feel better about it–” she mused lightly. “that’s fine, though. I was need of a new one.”

tanner did feel a little guilty, even if it wasn’t his fault and he wished there was something more he could do to help but he knew that all he could do was attempt to dry off her pages and buy her another coffee. he laughed slightly and lifted her shoulders up in a shrug, “well, if buying you another is the least i can do, i’ll do it.”

Ayla knew that many people were surprised to see her here. However, the rivalry that might have lived between bars was not hers to carry and she liked to drink at both places. She’d be foolish to head to her own empty bar when the party was here. If anyone saw that as some kind of betrayal, well they didn’t have the power to fire her. Plus, she’d already told her boss that she was heading here. “You got lost? You should have texted me and I could have guided you home. You’ll get used to it in no time, though. It’s not that complicated. Just that everything looks the same.” The brunette said with a shrug before she pulled back from the hug. “Thank you, you look great too.” She wasn’t sure if his work uniform was his disguise but it worked regardless. “Perfect. Is there something you’d prefer to drink?”

“yeah, i think you’re right. everything does pretty much look the same.” he chuckled. he knew eventually he’d learn his way around town but the only place he could confidently get to was the hospital from his house. he still had to pull up maps to get to reds or the flower shop or anywhere else he liked to go. “i sure hope you’re right but i’ll definitely text you next time so you can save the day.” he shoved his hands in the pockets of his coat and looked down, almost feeling embarrassed that he was in his work clothes. “i came right from work and well, i didn’t know what to dress as so i figured i’d blend in like this.” he still wished he would’ve put more effort in, especially since she’d invited him. “rum and coke. i never really change it up. i pretty much drink the same thing every time.”

“go with the doctor thing. the locals dig thag here.“ grant winked at him humorously. “i don’t know man, i don’t wanna show you up if i have to be the hero, but i guess i can.” he shrugged, before taking another drink. “i can introduce you to a ton of people here. but fair warning, i’m not the most liked person here, but we’ll see.” he said before looking up and down at tanner. “but you’ve got a friendly mug. i’m sure you’ll fit in just fine here. there’s a ton of overly friendly people if you know what i mean.”

“well, alright. if you think that’s my best option, i’ll go with it.” he cared about his friends opnions, even if he didn’t have too many here in tupelo. tanner furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, “is there a reason for that man?” he wondered why it was that grant wasn’t very liked. so far, to him, grant had been nothing but nice and he appreciated that. “i try to be as friendly as possible. i figured i might as well be since i’m starting in a new town.”