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As much as he loved his fellow Newsies, Crutchie needed to get out, needed to see other friends he haven’t seen in a while. Which is how he found himself sat in Zara’s place. A wide grin on his face as he listened to her talk. “You’re for sure becoming one of my closest friends too. I’m really glad we crossed paths.” He told her truthfully, elbows resting on his knees as he looked over at her. “And the same goes for you, you know I’m always here for you too.” He scooted back against the couch some. “It’s been way too long, how have things been in the life of Zara?”

“Yeah.” Evan said lamely, his shoulders shrugging. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say, what he was even allowed to say. Was I’m sorry too much? Or was that something he was supposed to do? Were they just supposed to pretend it never happened, or was he supposed to mention it? The last thing he wanted to do was rub salt in Zara’s wound and yet he knew just being there had the possibility of doing that exact thing. “Music? That’s- That’s great.” His head bobbed, his eyes diverting to the ground. “I remember that was something you liked doing, you know, with the um, jazz band and-” He cut himself off with a nervous laugh, taking the time to glance back up at Zara.

He wondered if his presence reminded her of Connor the way it did when he saw her. He wondered how she was actually doing… but he didn’t feel like he had the right to ask. “I, I’m sorry. I can go? If that would help, I mean. Like, um, we can just pretend that we didn’t see each other and if we ever see each other again we can just not talk? If that might make it easier, I mean.” He didn’t want that. He hated what he had done to her, but Evan still thought Zara was a good person. He didn’t deserve it, but he still wished they could be friends. 

HOW WERE THE SUPPOSED TO DO THIS ?? were they going to walk on eggshells every single time they saw each other ?? would her mind go instantly to her brother ?? who, in a way, she needed right now. sure, both had their differences, but zara always thought he would GROW OUT OF IT. evan was a very socially awkward person, and zara had turned so INTERNAL that, she, herself happened to be just as awkward. when wanting to be alone for SO LONG, it was hard to get back into the more extroverted version of herself. and, in a way, things had really changed when out in the world. when having the opportunity to come her, zara thought that it would help her FIND HERSELF. maybe with evan actually being here, she could. finally, reflect on the things she kept inside her hear for a long time since connor had left them. “jazz band---- y e a h !!” laughing softly, missing jazz band and the days where things were s i m p l e. life was complicated, a huge complicated mess that zara couldn’t believe was her life. 

“SORRY FOR TOTALLY CRASHING YOUR table while you’re all alone.” zara was feeling good for the first time in forever, not sure what it was. “i’m pretty sure every single set in this place is occupied--- are you up for a little company ??” holding her mug full of hot liquid and bag with a pastry, not that it was anything like where crutchie worked, but this was closer to school. “i’m zara---- now we’re not truly strangers !!”

“I’VE BROUGHT YOU MORE BAKED GOODS, i’m sorry--- i never text you to tell you when i’m coming. i just want to surprise you, i think it helps people have a better day. who doesn’t love baked goods as a surprise.” smile etched across her lips as she nodded slowly, wanting to make others feel warm. everyone deserved that right now. “how’re you ??”

“CRUTCHIE, thank you so much for being my friend...” shaking her head, unable to help how full her heart was when she was around the other. “you are seriously becoming my closest friend here, and i just---- i appreciate how you’re ALWAYS HERE FOR ME. you know, you could come to me for anything. i will always be there for you as well. i just--- i wanted you to know that !!”

“I THINK MY APARTMENT IS seriously haunted, by someone i don’t even know !!” eyes were wide, “i seriously think this thing is e v i l !!” zara’s hands were threading together and unthreading, nervous energy flowing through her body. “i have no idea WHAT to do about it. i--- do you have any ideas ?? i seriously may buy one of those spirit boxes ?? i don’t know ??”

“COULD YOU POSSIBLY HOLD my guitar for a second ??” turning towards the other, “i just-- uhm, dropped my wallet and i need to pick it up.” looking down at the sidewalk with a worried look on her face, “i’m pretty sure there’s gum stuck to the ground right there !!” dragging her teeth across her lower lip with a shrug and disgusted expression on her face.

“FOR SOME REASON, i just can’t seem to get warm ??” clasping her hands together, “and i don’t think it’s the weather ??” confusion washed over her as she wondered what was wrong with her. “i really hope i’m not getting sick...” stepping back a little as not to get TOO CLOSE. “i wouldn’t want to give it to you, i’m sorry, should i even be talking.” clamping her lips shut as quick as possible.

The bakery had been busy that morning, and Anya was on a roll. She was honestly lucky that she had been entrusted with basically running the store, but the owner told her that it was the way she carried herself..or something like that. Probably more to do with the fact that she grew up in an orphanage and had to basically be an adult a lot earlier than she wanted to be. None the less, Anya was happy for the opportunity. The girl was currently in the back room, covered in flour, making mini cheesecakes for the day. Her hair was swept up into a messy but and her apron was covered in the remnants of the pastries that she had made earlier, but it didn’t stop her from humming a tune as she carried on. Hearing the bell, she glanced up and noticed someone in the store. “Just a second!” She said popping the cheesecakes into the oven. Heading out to the front, she smiled.

“Welcome in! Anything I can help you with today?” 

@musicalstarters​

WHY DID HER LIFE ALWAYS REVOLVE AROUND FOOD ?? maybe it was because she was in school. freshman fifteen, zara matthews was coming !! eyes were wide, mouth agape as she looked around, cheeks flushed with color wondering what she wanted to get. hearing a voice, eyes tried to pinpoint where it was coming from. the back, most likely, where things were being baked for her to take home and devour. 

❛ hey, have you seen a stack of papers around here? not many pages in it, just about… 4 or 5… ❜ nice going, veronica. you’re a writer, and you’ve already misplaced your drafts! but she could’ve sworn they were in her hand a MINUTE ago. she has no idea what happened with them from then to now. ❛ why don’t you get up? maybe you sat on them or something-  ❜ long shot, but hey, it happens! ❛ … not accusing you or anything, just, uh, checking. please? ❜

@musicalstarters​

＊ @musicalstarters​ .

’ORDER FOR … ‘ EMMA was on auto - pilot at this point. her shift was coming close to its end and EMMA was just ready to let her hair down and get the fuck home. it was slow, yet drinks were getting backed - up thanks to EMMA’s lazy coworkers who just stood around. so there EMMA stood, at the counter, calling out drinks for customers to hopefully just grab and go. she was about to hand over the last cup, when she pulled it away a little too quickly as she recognized the person it was for. ‘HEY! i know YOU … you’re … !’ she snapped her fingers, smiling and hoping they’d finish the sentence for her as she tried to recall the person standing in front of her.

WHEN WALKING IN, ZARA DIDN’T THINK anyone would really recognize her. when she had her guitar, people noticed, most talked to her about music. without it, blending in was pretty easy. which was why she was really enjoying her time outside of the united states. cheeks danced with color when emma was trying to remember. 

Claude sat on the sidewalk, legs out and relaxed across from the city hall building. A quick dash here and there, and done - a caricature of Katie Hopkins walking her emotional support dog, Twitter. He’d have to submit it to the column by the end of the week, but hopefully he wouldn’t face much backlash from it. Not that he cared, Claude wasn’t on any social media, “Thoughts?” He looked up, light shining in his eyes to prevent seeing the person standing above him.

@musicalstarters​

When Crutchie got the text from Zara, asking if he would be up for a picnic, he jumped at the chance. So much had been happening since the last time he had saw her and he was ready for his life to get back to normal. That and any chance to hangout with her outside of his job sounded brilliant. After deciding on a time and place, he stopped by the corner store to grab a few things before heading his way to the park to meet her. 

He reached their agreed upon location to meet, knowing that he was probably a few minutes early but that didn’t matter to him. He was out of the apartment and about to spend time with someone that was quickly becoming a close friend to him. Spotting a bench near by he sat down, patiently awaiting for Zara to arrive.

@iindigostreaks​

BEFORE HEADING TO THE SPOT, zara put together an awesome basket full of goodies. some were even baked goods that zara had whipped up herself. in her opinion, her friendship with crutchie made her smile wide and bright. feeling like things were only going to blossom from here on out. feeling very traditional, zara carried a basket, hooked onto the crook of her arm. cheeks were dashed with color as she grew closer to the bench that her friend sat on.