Alone Together

“Is it just ABBA you play, or do you have other favorites?” Jude asked, inquisitive about the pretty girl’s musical tastes. Being so near to the music town of the south, he didn’t find it uncommon to meet musicians, and he found it always interesting to connect and get their story.

“I have others that I play. Mostly old bands that I would listen to all the time growing up. Name a song by any and I’ll play it.” she suggested. “And not so much sing it, still don't think my voice is that good yet but you’re more than welcome to sing along.” she chuckled. 

“You’ve got to be kidding? Call in sick or something?” Her tone bordered on pleading. She hadn’t many friends in the city and standing around alone seemed rather…lame. “Consider all the fun you’ll be missing out on like the–,” There wasn’t a single bullet point that she could recall from the pamphlet floating around town. “Just realize there’s going to be a ton of interesting things to do,” Juliana wiggled a brow.

“I’m sorry Jules, there’s gonna be a lot of people eating at the diner and I know they’re gonna be swamped.” She explained. “But if it will put you at ease, I'll see what I can do. So don’t get your hopes up” she added with a smile. “You should have a backup plan just in case.”

“You’re pretty good with that, too,” Jude said, paying her string-plucking skills a compliment. It wasn’t an out of place one, either, he’d enjoyed listening to her play. As the girl spoke, Kirby sniffed in the grass around them, exploring his immediate surroundings. “Didn’t know who ABBA was? The shame. What is this world coming to… Kirby —no! Put that down. Honestly, it’s sad, just sad,” he said with a shake of his head and a glance up at the heavens.

“Thanks, I've been playing it my whole life.” she said running her fingers along the strings lightly.  She looked over at Kirby for a few moments and smiled before her attention turned back to Jude. A small chuckle slipped her lips, “I know, I don’t think I've been so hurt by someone not knowing who ABBA was.” 

Josh shrugged very casually, as if to say ‘don’t mention it’, reaching down to pet Laurel while her attention was solely on Hardy. They were jealous dogs, so you couldn’t possibly leave one out or there’d be trouble. “Walking these guys…” he answered. “Riley’s on a play date, so figured I’d get some peace and quiet while I could.” He paused a moment. “And I know talking to you kinda defeats the object, but I can make an exception.”

“Glad to know that I’m an exception for your peace and quiet.” she joked lightly. “But you did come to the right place for that. it’s really peaceful here. And since I'm so nice. I'll share this spot with you and these two cuties.” she smiled, this time reaching for Laurel to pet as well.

Jude had been out walking Kirby. He had been out more and more lately, discomfort forcing him out the house and into the wide, open spaces of Beaumont. Beaumont had a lot of green, and he loved it for that. This particular spot he hadn’t even known about until now, but he was going to be sure to come back to it. As he crossed over a small bridge to the other side, he heard guitar music, which was sure to draw him like a moth to a lamp meme. 

He waited out the end of the song or at least a spot of silence, not wanting to interrupt. “ABBA, huh? That’s one of the greats. I mean — there are a lot of greats, but that’s certainly a classic.” 

Gemma tore her gaze away from the water and looked up at him when she heard his voice at the end of her song. Nodding a bit, “Uh yeah, definitely a classic. Was kind of in a ABBA mood.” Shrugging her shoulders a bit with a chuckle. “I’m glad to know that someone else knows their classic songs. Last time I sang this, I was asked what song it was and to end that story, they had no idea who ABBA was. I was really disappointed. And I don’t know why I thought you wanted to hear that.” She smiled sheepishly.

“They kinda wear the pants in my house… they make the rules,” Josh said with a laugh, glancing down at the dogs. “So I’m glad, but I really didn’t get much a choice.” As he finally reached her, his gaze settled on her guitar and he smiled, idly looping the dog’s leashes around his hand. “Bit of ABBA, huh?” He chuckled lightly. He heard it all on a nightly basis in the restaurant. When Tiffani wasn’t singing, it really was anyone’s game, they got all sorts —- depending on what mood the manager was in. “Sounded good.”

Gem continued to pet Hardy and nodded, “Yeah, one of my favorite songs actually.” she chuckled. “but thanks.” she added. She patted a spot next to her for Josh to join her. “What brings you out on this fine day?” she asked, scratching behind the other dog’s ear.

Having an evening free, Josh had taken the opportunity to take the dogs out down by the water. Riley was on a play date, so he was in no kind of rush and it meant he could take his time for once, try and clear his mind a little. Ever since seeing Aisnley in the park, he hadn’t exactly been himself. As he rounded a corner, feet on the ground and where he was walking, that was when Hardy raced off, having spotted something or someone. Looking up, he realised it was someone, and a small smile crossed his features as his gaze fell onto Gemma. He let Hardy run ahead, following up behind with Laurel, and then called a quiet greeting out to her, “Hey, hope we’re not interrupting.”

Gem stopped the moment a dog’s nose had approached her face to sniff her out. Giggling lightly, she reached over to pet the familiar dog as Hardy licked her face. “Well hello to you too.” she said before she heard a voice. Looking up, she saw Josh and smiled more. “Hey Josh.” she responded, setting the guitar down as the excited dog kept pushing his presence onto her for more attention along with the other. “Not at all. And I could always use a break to greet these two.”

S- song last listened to

Soft to be Strong by Marina

U- 3 biggest wishes?

Already answered 

N- notable bad habit?

Answered

S- song last listened to

Answered

H- how do you sleep?

Answered

I- in love?

Nope!

N- notable bad habit?

Answered 

E- easiest person to talk to?

None really come to mind

A- are you single?

Yes

B- birthday?

July 20th

C- crush?

None at the moment

D- did u get ur first kiss?

Of course!

U- 3 biggest wishes?

1. To have my music be heard by people around the world.

2. To be with my mother again.

3. Lots and lot of Oreos

R- reason to smile?

A new day

H- how do you sleep?

In complete darkness and music playing.

O- one wish?

To visit Italy.

T- time you woke up?

Noon

Q- quick way to your heart?

Music

Z- zodiac sign?

Cancer

Oreos

M- middle name?

Marie

O- one wish?

To sing in front of a crowd without being scared.

N- notable bad habit?

Zoning out

T- time you woke up?

Noon

H- how do you sleep?

Pretty well?

O- one wish?

To bring my mother back. To have the courage to sing in front of a crowd.

T- time you woke up?

Noon

Juliana rested her chin on the ball of her palm, absentmindedly swirling a teaspoon around the scarcely touched contents of her coffee cup.  She was content to silently listen to the melodic and warm and serene lull of Gemma’s guitar. A genuine smile snuck its way onto her lips and gladly sat there for a moment until there was a pause in the tune. “Please tell me you’re not working during the fourth of July party thing?” @gemmastarling

Gemma leaned back in her chair as she strummed the guitar, playing an old song that was on a vinyl that use to belong to her mother. She stopped mid song and looked over at the girl. “Unfortunately, I am. Working the late night shift so I'll be watching the fireworks from the diner booth on my break.”