Sports Girl

“To be fair you are older now, You could probably bake a cake for yourself now. Though i’d start with a box mix first in case you aren’t used to it. It’s always good to start with an easy win and get more adventurous” He chuckles and runs a hand through his dreds. “I can’t say they are here so we may have to settle for funnel cake this time” 

“True. Guess we’ll see when it comes to my next birthday if I’m feeling adult enough to give it a go.” she joked. Emery typically a creature of habit when it came to food. Sure she would enjoy some take out once in awhile or enjoy some dessert when out to dinner with friends. But for the part, Emery would continue to think about the eating habits her parents instilled in her as kid. That meant mostly cooking herself and eating at home and trying to eat in a healthy way. But thankfully it was founders week so it gave her an excuse to indulge a bit. “Either way I’m down.”

At Maywood Pride

With Pride underway Alex found herself working over time to make sure that they kept as much alcohol and food as they needed in stock. Which had resulted in her practically missing everything, but there was still plenty of day left and she had already finished her shift. Holding onto one of the cold beer bottles that she had taken on her way out and she made her way into the streets that were covered in colorful clothing, decorations and signs. “So where are we going first?” She asked to the person next to her as held out the other beer to them. She was pretty open to anywhere the night would take her as long as she didn’t up working or back at Lucky’s. “I’m here for the rest of the night and I’m ready to celebrate and enjoy myself.” 

Emery was excited to celebrate pride. It was an amazing event. There was much do that she wasn’t exactly sure what and where to go first. She grinned as the other women handed her beer. “Thanks. Well honestly I was hoping that maybe you had some ideas.” Emery looked around for something to do. “Actually what do you say about getting something to eat first? I’m starving and will not be able to do anything fun without some food in me.” she chuckled softly.”So does anything sound good to you at all? I’m willing to try pretty much anything.” 

DOWNTOWN MAYWOOD — POST-PRIDE — A CROWDED BAR

Despite the celebration that had gone on, Henry doesn’t particularly feel in the mood to celebrate. It feels strange, sitting here in the aftermath, like he’s somehow out of place in a way that he hadn’t been before. He knows that it’s just his mind playing tricks on him, and with the kick-back from his insomnia lately, that’s to be expected.

Tired, Hyuntae decides to spend his free time this evening sitting in a bar close to where he lives. There’s a cocktail in his hand, and he leans heavy against the bar itself as he sits, glancing towards the person next to him with almost an expectant look about him. It’s not intentional — more like he’s building himself up before he gets the nerve to speak.

“Did you enjoy the party?” Or the parties. From what he’d heard there was a whole bunch of them, but the few that he got invited to were at times he really couldn’t make it. “I mean… Jesus, that sounds stupid. Did you enjoy Pride?” Small talk isn’t exactly his strong suit, but he gives himself time to work himself up to more.

Emery looked around before moving to the first open chair she could find. She was ready for a drink or two before calling it a night. She ordered giving the bartender a smile and thanks. Emery waited she heard the guy next to her speak up. “Yeah it was really awesome. It seemed like everyone was having fun which was great to see ” she grinned. When her drink was placed in front of her, Emery couldn’t help but take a sip. She loved pride. While she wasn’t apart of the community, that didn’t mean she couldn’t go out and support it. “Were you there at all?” she asked curious. 

Elena stood there waiting for Emery’s answer, when she finally answered that she had planned on going to the beach she shrugged. “I’m fine with the beach.” Informing her that it was totally fine to go to the beach and unwind. “Plus I could use some unwinding after this week.” And all of her duties were done thankfully so she’d have time to at least enjoy the date and the food. “That sounds really nice. I can’t wait.” She told her as she tucked her hair behind her ear and gestured for Emery to lead the way. “So tell me about yourself? What kind of things do you enjoy?” 

“Great. What better place for that than a beach.”Emery nodded before heading out. “Um well I’m a physical therapist. I’m a huge sports fan given that I grew up playing them. I mostly enjoy being outside and working out whenever I can. But once in a while I don’t mind a good movie night in.” she grinned. There wasn’t much to Emery.What you say was basically what you got with her. “What about you?” she asked. Even thought she has heard about her family, she was still curious to learn about Elena. 

Antony shrugs as they made their way up to the funnel cake vendor, ordering one. “My father likes to bake, to cook in general. So we always had a lot of food brewing in our house.” Taking the cake from the attendant he offers the plate for her to take a bit. “It is the best carnival food, granted I’m also partial to beignets from New Orleans which is basically a cross between funnel cake and donuts” 

Emery couldn’t help but grin. “That sounds amazing. My mom was the baker when baking was done. She always insisted on baking all the birthday cakes and holiday desserts because it was her time to let loose in the kitchen I guess.” Emery smiled. “I even remember always begging her to let me help bake my own birthday cake.” she chuckled. That was all the baking Emery had really done. “Oh gosh that sounds even more tempting.” she gave a small smile mixing it with a pout.

Josie laughed, nodding. The statement rang true with words she’d have never put to the thought. “It kind of is it’s own holiday, isn’t it? And I can’t help it either. It’s always a fun week and there are a lot of different things to participate in and enjoy.” And, of course, there were the memories the other spoke about. Some that Josie would rather keep buried deep in her soul, only to be thought of when no one else was around. “I don’t know if I’ve ever felt bad about pigging out.” She shrugged, but then again, when she’d spent part of her life not knowing where her next meal might come from, or when it would come, there wasn’t an option to feel guilty for eating. 

Emery nodded, agreeing. “Yeah it does bring back some good childhood memories. I mean back then it seemed impossible to ever get bored during the week.” Emery could remember the week long even before a close second to Christmas given the set up and all the events that took place. “Well being an athlete, it was kind of expected of mine.” she shrugged. “But now being and adult and no longer holding that title, it does make me want to pig out just a little she chuckled softly. Even as an adult, Emery tried to stay the healthy food route. But there were times like this were couldn’t she just couldn’t refuse. 

Antony tenses hearing her comment. It was nice of her to say but he couldn’t really be sure. All he knew was that his mother had wanted him to come home and he put it off until it was too late. “I’d hope so but not going to know that without a seance.” He smirks and turns to head down the path toward the vendors. “I enter every year, I used to enter with my dad but he just wasn’t up for it this year.” He motions to the vendor ahead. “Well come on, they are right ahead and there’s no better time than the present.”

She nodded, agreeing. A small grin to came to her face. “Baking was never really big in my family. Usually we only baked when it came to birthdays and holidays.” Growing up, the times where baking was done in the house, Emery would make sure to take full advantage of it. “ When he mentioned getting a funnel cake, she couldn’t help but get a little bit excited. “So true. I have to say, it’s one of the few foods around here that take me back to my childhood memories of the event.” 

special delivery for → @emerywilliams​

Elena carried the box over to her date, she put it down carefully in front of the other woman. “Looks like we’re doing this together.” Giving a half smile before she put her hands on both of her hips. “Do you have any preference on where we do this at?” She asked curiously. After all this date was planned by Emery and she wanted to honor what she wanted her to do. “I’m open to pretty much anything at this point.” She’d tried to control everything endlessly but it’d just failed and backfired time after time; so rather than fighting it she was willing to go with the flow for once and see how it worked out. 

Emery was kind of nervous to get Elena as her ‘date’. It wasn’t that she had anything against the women but her family was pretty well known around town and it was kind of intimidating a bit. “Well I was planning on the beach if that’s cool with you. It’s a place I like to get to unwind from things.” It was soothing for Emery. “I figured we have a picnic and just listen to some music. Just something simple but fun.” She wasn’t exactly Elena would of thought of the activity. She knew it wasn’t anything glamorous but it was Emery and she loved being out doors even if meant chilling on the beach. 

“That’s cool,” Oliver breathed. He’d always been interested in strange facts. Growing up in Philadelphia, there had always been something to learn about the city. Maywood was a smaller town in comparison, but it was full of its own history. “I’m sure you could always help to host the event, or even come up with trivia questions. I’m pretty sure they’ve been using the same batch of questions for the last four years, at least.” 

“Hmm sometimes.” she smirked. Emery couldn’t could how many times she have older clients come in and spend a lot of their time gossiping with Emery about the town and/or their days of growing up in Maywood. Sometimes she enjoyed the stories, other times not so much. “I wouldn’t be surprised by that. But yeah maybe one day I’ll try and do that and really get people thinking.”

Josie smiled, turning slightly to watch as a few kids ran off with their treats in hand. “Yeah, I think it’s funny, because I seem to remember how much grander everything seemed when I was small. Even though, I think this is one of the most extravagant Founder’s weeks we’ve had, out of my twenty-four.” Her first had been when she was just weeks old and she hadn’t missed one yet.  Even after her father had died and they’d struggled with money, Josie had always had a few dollars to spend on historical day and it was the greatest treat to someone like her. “I always recommend the cotton candy first, because it doesn’t take up much room in your stomach, and you can eat more after. But, I haven’t found a food during Founders Week that I don’t like, so I need the space.”

Emery grinned. “Yeah this was always seemed Maywoods own little national holiday each year. Lots of good memories. I still can’t help but be a tiny bit excited for it each year though.” Emery remembered her times as a kid at the event like it was yesterday. Every event seemed like the greatest thing to her at the time. She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Smart idea. But I totally agree, usually in my house founders week and holidays were the only times I could really pig out and not feel bad about it.” Even given her athletic status, her father was rather strict about her diet growing up as well.

Antony locks up the van with his gear inside turning back to Emery once he was finished. He smiled softly hearing her words and nods. “I try, my mother was far better than me but she taught me everything she knows so i’m trying to get there.” His hands slide into his pockets at her words and he smiles. “Not a bad choice, they tend to be fun. I’m in the baking competition and I think I’ll be bidding on the boxes but we will see on anything else. Right now I’d kill for a funnel cake.” 

How sweet, she thought. “I’m sure she’s proud of you.” Emery liked to think that her father was truly proud of her as well with her job choice. While it wasn’t her first choice, she ended up loving it and is happy with her job. “Oh the baking competition should be fun. It was one of the things I enjoyed watching as a kid.” No matter how much she tried, Emery still had the young Maywood girl in her. “I wish you luck on the bidding.” she grinned. The sound of food made her stomach growl. “Now that I have to remind myself to get. If there’s anything I love more during this week is the funnel cake.” 

“Nah, I was thinking the same thing,” Corinna smiled at the young lady. “Well, sort of. I think some of the winners are funny, it’ll be fun to watch them during the week,” she shrugged her shoulders, her head tilting towards Ruben who seemed to be nodding off. Watching him yawn, she let out a sigh of relief. “Better now that he seems to be worn out,” she grinned. “I think he’s missing momma and daddy, though, he was a bit fussy earlier and I haven’t seen them in a couple hours. How are you, though? You get any good food today?” Admittedly, her stomach was rumbling and she was desperate.

“Honestly I still don’t understand why they have that. I mean it’s the same thing with kings and queens at high schools.” she chuckled softly. Emery was never a big fan of that in school either. It just seemed like titles that didn’t really mean anything to her.

“I will say, I bet kids sleep good during this week each year. I mean with everything going on, I’m sure they are all usually extra tired.” Emery smiled. She had never been around kids much but she couldn’t help but find them rather cute at times. “I’m good. Although now that you mentioned it I could really used some food.”

Antony shrugged softly as she handed him the arrangement so he could put it into place. He’d hired a few temps to help him handle the large workload for the event and they were nearing the end of their contract so he wasn’t surprised they got a little flaky. Most were good, he had them on the other side of the fair setting up with one of his full time employees but some, one in particular needed watching. “No big deal, she wasn’t full time staff anyway. Just wont be hiring her back next time.” He smiles in appreciation. “I hope so, Elena or her mother would kill me if they weren’t.” His head tilted back to her in curiosity as he got off the ladder. “So are you participating in any of the events?” 

“Well I guess that’s a relief.” she chuckled softly. Emery could never imagine being flaky at job. It just wasn’t in her to do that. She nodded at the mention on Elena and her mom. Pretty much everyone knew them and their family in town.  “I mean I don’t know much about floral arrangements but anyone who looks at the should be able to see how beautiful they are.” Emery shrugged. “The date box as of right now. But who knows what my inner child will want me to do and relive for a bit. What about you?” 

“Good choices.” Oliver couldn’t help but agree. There were so many different events happening throughout Founder’s Week that it was almost impossible to choose one specific event. “I think this year I’m looking forward to trivia night. It’s always fun finding out all the little details about our fair town.”

She gave a nod at this chosen event. “Nice. I typically don’t participate in that because being born and raised here and some client at my job, I feel like there’s very little I don’t know about the town and people who live here.” she grinned. “I probably no more than one should.” she joked. 

Event Day:  Maywood Historical Day

A smile played on Josie’s lips as she licked the sugar from her fingers. Maywood Historical Day was by far Josie’s favorite. The girl had a tradition of saving all of her change in an old water jug from an office water cooler that she kept in the back of her closet, and more recently on an app that was linked to her bank account. And during founders day week, she’d use part of the money for food and clothes from local thrift and second hand shops to dress up for the different events. But, mostly food. “I know people love the parade and the ball,” The brunette said to the person that’d been in line behind her, “But I don’t think there is anything better than eating one dollar junk food all day.”

@maywoodstarters​

While Emery didn’t necessarily enough enjoy founders week as much as she used too, she still couldn’t help but get sucked into a bit each time. It couldn’t help but bring back happy memories from her childhood. Holidays and founders week was typically the only true break she would get from sports  growing up. It was a time when her family did something besides traveling to and from practices and games. However now a days, she mostly enjoyed watching new town folk get all excited during their first founders week. Emery knew that if she was coming to historical day, she was going to get a snack. She nodded at the women in front of it. “Yeah it does bring back some childhood memories that’s for sure. Now I just need to figure out what snack to start with.”

Just a few more placements and he’d be done for the day and could enjoy the festivities. He’d honestly been doing these for as long as he could remember. When his mother owned the Green Room she always made herself available to all the events and when he’d taken over after her death he pushed to live up to the image she created. So here he was up on a ladder looking around for the assistant who was supposed to be helping him but had disappeared. Calling to someone nearby he motion to a floral arrangement. “Hey, can you hand me that? I lost my assistant” 

@maywoodstarters​

Emery couldn’t help but look around at all the decorations. Everything was so amazing but they usually were every year. As she was walking around, she a guy speaking and managed to look up and see a guy on a ladder. “Oh sure. Sorry about your assistant.” she grabbed the arrangement before handing it to him. Emery looked at him place the flowers in the rightful spot. “ Wow those floral arrangements are beautiful.” 

Although Oliver had lived in Maywood for years now, Founders Week was something that felt new every year. He looked forward to it like a child looked forward to Christmas. “So,” he began, looking at the person beside him. “What are you most looking forward to this week?” 

Emery couldn’t help but smile at this question. “Hmm if I had to pick then I would probably say the parade and light up the night ceremony.” Out of everything planned for the week, those bought her the best childhood memories. “What about you?”