— paper rings

“I’m not going to lie after we’re done with this I could really use some wine.” Wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her arm. “Or maybe just a good soak in the tub.” She admitted, she lifted the trash bag full of the trash up. “At least there’s not much more and the beach is looking great.” Taking a look at the beach around them, it looked better than it had since she’d moved here. “Hopefully in a week it isn’t trashed again or I might scream.” Shaking her head disapprovingly. “What are you doing after we’re done here?”

There were plenty of things which brought a smile to her lips when she tended to find joy in almost everything but today her grin shone even more brightly. She was just endlessly happy that her event seemed to be a success with so many people showing up to help out and there was a spring in her step as she approached one volunteer with a shirt in hand. “One Beach Clean Up t-shirt just for you.” Tone was bright as she held it out to them. “Couldn’t get my hands on an red ones quickly but I think pink is definitely your colour.”

“Oh really?” Kalina looked up at her sister with a raised eyebrow. “I really don’t think that pink is my color.” She commented softly. It had been the reason why she’d avoided the tee shirt stand when she saw only pink ones laying around. “Is there a white option or maybe like a different pink? Otherwise I’ll just wear what I have on.” 

When: January 11th, 2020 Where: Lucky’s Bar & Grill What: Karaoke Night

When a night out had been suggested to him, he had been hesitant to say yes when it felt like his whole life at the moment was a mixture between the gym, his mom and hitting up some bar so he wasn’t sat home alone. But he’d made a promise and if nothing else he was true to his word. Except what he had counted on was a quiet night tucked away in a corner somewhere and instead had been greeted by the full on extravaganza that was karaoke night. Two drinks in and he had yet to feel himself finding any enjoyment in it. After a particularly poor rendition of Total Eclipse of the Heart he found himself reaching for his beer again, only to find it finished. Slight shake of his head was given before he muttered to himself as he turned to catch the bartender’s attention. “I need another drink for this.”

Kalina wasn’t sure why she’d agreed to go to this, but she’d been dragged here by friends in the hopes that she’d sing— which wasn’t ever going to happen. Sitting her purse on the bar top and she slid onto the nearest empty stool. Hearing the man next to her and she gave a soft laugh. “You can say that again.” She told him. “Have they been this bad all night?” She questioned, she looked back towards the stage to see a rather drunk girl singing. “If so we’re going to need more than just one drink.” 

Sophie didn’t intend for the afternoon to end this way, but that was often the case. Things seemed to upset Sophie’s schedule on a regular basis, it was like she was a character written by an incredibly indecisive author. The battery on her hearing aid had run out so she reached in her bag for a new one. She pulled out the small bag and unzipped it, cursing herself when she saw that the packet only contained one more battery. A moment of fumbling later and the battery as rolling across the pavement, “fuck!” she exclaimed, moving towards it as quickly as she could before it stopped near another person’s feet. “I’m sorry but I dropped something and it’s right by your feet, do you mind?” she asked. Sophie made sure to look at the person as she spoke, anticipating the need to half lip read their answer, with only one hearing aid in Sophie knew it’d be tricky to hear in the busy place.

Kalina had been doing her usual walk around the gallery when she noticed a small silver object hit the toe of her heels, she raised an eyebrow. It had been a while since she’d seen a battery this small. Hearing a familiar voice made Kali’s blood run cold, she looked up to see the blonde. “Sure.” She signed quickly too Sophie, then she bent down and grabbed the battery that was at her feet. Holding out the battery to her while she used her free hand to still sign. “What are you doing here? I’m surprised to see you.” She told her with quick hand motions. “Are you here on vacation or....” She trailed off as she signed and waited for Sophie’s answer. 

“Hi, I’m happy to be back.” Caroline walked through the door into the studio. “It’s been going pretty good I think. I’m starting to fit into my schedule more which is nice.” It was finding an old hobby again. “Well I’m still kind of in the holiday spirit a bit still so I figured I would try and do a winter themed and I’ve only done the basics on it so far.”

"You have certainly improved from when you first started, it looks like you’ve dusted off those old skills of yours.” Kalina complimented with a smile. “So that means you’re going to turn into a regular around here?” She asked softly, she was somewhat hopeful that she’d get to see Caroline around more. “Do you mind if I see or is it a surprise?” She asked curiously. “You know I’m holder a beginner show. If you’re interested you should enter. It’s mainly like high school students, but I can squeeze you in if you’re ready to show your art to the world.” 

“ this better? ” he asked, throwing a glance over his shoulder at kalina as he moved the painting just a little to the left. honestly, raul had no problem carrying things around - as long as nobody asked him for his opinion on it. ( mrs garcia from third period art class probably still had nightmares about his attendance record. ) but when kalina asked him to move it to the right, he smiled at her and did as asked. “ alright, how about now? ” it looked the exact same, if he was being honest. but then again, he didn’t remember much about angles or maths either. “ nah, it’s cool,  you want it to be just right. ” raul waved off, standing up straight to peer at the art. at her question, he grinned confusedly. “ my opinion? um - it’s - ” he cocked his head to the side, a deep furrow appearing between his brows. “ it’s still crooked, isn’t it? ”

Kalina stood behind him as he asked if it was better, she tapped her finger nail against her white teeth nervously. She knew that she was over thinking this, but now it had to be perfect, she refused to allow a painting to beat her like this. “It’s better-ish?” She shrugged, she just couldn’t put her finger on what what throwing it off. At his words she gave a heavy sigh, she covered her face with both hands before nodding. “Yes, it’s still crooked, but at this point what is center and what is level and what is anything.” She rambled on in frustration. “Maybe we should take it down and start over because this is clearly not working no matter how hard we try.”