i'm just a lost boy not ready to be found

When Camila first met Jacob, he had been simply someone to talk to while she drank. However, over the few weeks and many meetings, she found she really enjoyed his company. He was a kind and compassionate ear to her troubles. He of course was quite funny and made her laugh. And in return she offered to be an ear and shoulder as well. Tonight though she had gotten another round of nasty messages and one voicemail from her husband who couldn’t be finalized as her ex husband as quickly as she wished. She had came to the bar without him, but quickly texted Jacob her location. When he arrived, she was already two drinks in. Though Camila had hinted at her job as a jewelry designer, she never alluded to how successful she was over in the UK. Her bill could be quite long and she would not harm her bank accounts at all. Jacob sat down and she saw the concern though he tried to hide it. “I’m terribly transparent, aren’t I?” She inquired with a humorless laugh. “My lovely husband has not been happy with the latest stipulation I have asked for.” She informed him and tapped at her phone hiding the nasty messages. 

Jacob always quite enjoyed being in Camila's company. They had a lot of things in common and she was easy-going enough that it hadn't taken too long for his guard to come down around her. They had gotten to know each other reasonably well over the last few weeks and so he knew when something was wrong, he could sense it and so he wasn't surprised when he received the text. He probably would have found himself there at some point during the night anyway but he dropped what he was doing and went straight there. Jacob couldn't help but feel like he wanted to fix it whenever this occurred, he wanted to help and try and make things better but he knew more often than that, that just wasn't possible. He tried to make it not so blaringly obvious as he slid into the seat beside Camila that he was concerned but he gathered he wasn't being very subtle by the look on her face. 'Ah.' Jacob nodded once in understanding. 'That prick again.' He let out a sigh. He'd heard bits here and there about Camila's ex-husband from the odd bits she'd been willing to divulge and he sounded like a nasty piece of work. To put it lightly. 'Do you want to talk about it? Or do you just want to drink to forget?' He offered a small comforting smile. 'Because I can do both.'

—

The male looked so out of it Ophelia almost pitted him, almost, she may have been feeling relaxed and on the nicer side of her personality today but that didn’t mean she was about to start being a decent person. At this point in her life Ophelia wasn’t even sure that she was capable of being a decent human being but with the upbringing she’d had and the events she could name in her life it wasn’t surprising that she was…hardened. “I know I’m small but I didn’t think I was that little.” Normally her small stature was compensated for with some form of heel but today she stood at her tiny 5′4 with little to aid her in way of gaining any height. “Don’t look so worried though I’m not that easy to break.” 

“I thought I wasn’t wasted.” Thad mumbled as he looked back at the other male, and he was pretty sure that he was even seeing two of him at this point. “How many units are in this beer?” The male hummed as lifted up the pint to inspect it as if he was going to find the answer there some how. “I think I’ve had about three…no many seven.” 

Mel didn’t like to get drunk drunk. That gripping the toilet, where’s your hair holding friend, what embarrassing piece of personal information did I just tell you, drunk.  She liked just enough of a fall down the rabbit hole that her face started to tingle, she felt loose and and like her anxious energy made sense. She was just starting to hit that zone now, cheeks warm and pink, her posture sinking towards the bartop as she rested her head against her arms and turned her face towards the other man. “Oh no no no, sir, I think you made your point. Couldn’t have been more perfectly made if you had whipped out a power point.” She grins, giddy and warm and head growing just the right amount of empty. “I’m also not as think as you drunk I am.”

Jacob knew through his foggy incoherent mind that he was past his limit, past the point where he made sense or could think in full sentences. He didn't often get blackout drunk, at least not as much as he once had. But things had been especially tough recently. Somebody should have cut him off about three rounds ago but as long as Jacob was willing to pay, the alcohol supply kept on coming. He ordered another drink, this time opting for beer, having some sense to slow it down a little. He couldn't hold back his drunken giggle, resisting the urge to facepalm as his words came out all jumbled and in the wrong order. Subtlety wasn't his forte, clearly. 'Okay, okay, okay.' He pointed his finger in the air as if he was about to make a point. 'I might be a little bit drunk. Jus' a lil bit.' With his body leaning heavily against the bar, his head lolled to one side across his folded arms — he wasn't fooling anyone. Not even himself.

“That’s true,” Josie agreed with a soft nod of her head, leaning her chin on one palm as she studied the man’s face. Jacob had a warm, sweet smile and a friendly face and though nothing was as it seemed in Santa Ysabel, he did come across as a likable guy. Maybe her drunken decision-making hadn’t made a terrible mistake this time around. “I guess I’m used to taking that sort of risk as a performer… I’ve had to build a bit of a thick skin.” Well, that, and an upbringing that lacked in structure had taught Josie to be somewhat self-suficient, or in the very least self-confident. Other than her father, she had no one but herself to rely on, and thus it was necessary to believe in what she was capable of. Or at least to give it her best shot. “But they are lovely. I’m sure you’ll get to find that out by the end of the night,” she added with a lopsided smile.

“Your uncle is responsible for a lot, huh? A real bad, bad man.” Josie enjoyed the conversation, however fleeting it was. “You know what? Go ahead and write it on there, and leave it up to me. I guarantee a beer and a conversation will follow!” 

Elsa didn’t bother glancing at the phone as he shook it, keeping her gaze on him. “Did it ever occur to you — to come inside and ask to charge it quick?” She questioned, her expression remaining neutral though if she allowed herself too Elsa would have laughed gently at her words. Yet her cheeks hurt from the few smiles she gave earlier during the night.

“Yeah—yeah, just tip me good.” She waved off his thank you, something about being thanked always made her uncomfortable. Like it was the right thing to do — no need to say things. Perhaps some psychologist would say it’s unspoken trauma from a dysfunctional house hold, it was the trend among the generation. “I can’t just leave you here, if I see news about your dead body that puts me as the last one seeing you.” Teasing a bit she unlocked the car, moving to the drivers side.

Jacob gave a light shrug of his shoulders. 'Probably would have been a good idea, wouldn't it?' He scoffed, glancing off to the side. 'I couldn't bring myself to go back in there, if I'm honest.' Reasons not important, certainly not something he wanted to go into right now. He's sure Elsa doesn't care either way, anyway.

He smirked with a small nod of his head. 'Sure thing. Whatever you want.' Jacob couldn't deny that he was grateful that Elsa had shown up when she had, being alone with his thoughts for too long was always a dangerous move. Jacob moved over to the passengers side door before moving to sit inside once the car was unlocked. 'Chance would be a fine thing.' He laughed, buckling in his seatbelt. 'Although I'm flattered you think that I'd make the news.'

There wasn’t really a lot that Theodora was good at. And this wasn’t an unrealistic conclusion for her to reach, she wasn’t a demoralized, depressed, self depreciating girl. She just had to learn that you didn’t always have to be “good” at life to enjoy it. The one thing she was good at was plants. Her knowledge of them was buried deep, rooted into her in a place where her short term memory issues couldn’t reach. Plants were patient, they could handle the days her fingers shook and her mind lost track of steps within her tasks. She always had time with them to get it right and give them what they needed to be nourished. She turns as someone approached the desk, marking her place in the journal she uses to keep track of what she’s doing, and gives him a bright smile. “Hi. I’m here to help you help yourself.” It sounded funnier in her head and in the aftermath she grimaced. “Sorry, I…sorry, I am definitely not missing a calling as a comedian. What do you need?”

Jacob loved the smell of fresh flowers, of nature. It probably traced back to when he was younger and he would get lost in fields, just running around and being free. Or when he was a bit older and he would go there for some solitude or he could scream at the top of his lungs and he wouldn't have to worry about anyone hearing him. He always felt a sense of calm when he smelt flowers and that sensation washed over him as soon as he entered Petal Pushers Garden and Florist Shop despite the stress that coursed through his bones just seconds prior. Jacob let out a small chuckle depsite himself at Theodora. Her bright smile contagious. 'Yes. Do you have anything that says "Sorry I was a dick to you the other day, I didn't mean it. I was just in a bad mood and I took it out on you I'm sorry?"' Jacob winced, a small guilty smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

“Well good morning to you too,” she muses, hiding her amusement as she wiped down the bar top. “I had off…I have off…sometimes. But honestly my days off are rather boring.” Working was…well it kept her head busy, it kept it full of tasks instead of bad thoughts. And working was an environment in which she could observe, sneak little glimpses of people’s lives, put together stories about them in her head. “A question? Yikes, I’m nervous Jacob.”

‘Sorry. Good Morning, Willow.’ He grinned, tipping an imaginary hat atop his head. Jacob opened his mouth to say something about it but he couldn’t really criticise because he also threw himself into work. ‘Alright, I’ll let you off. At least I always know where to find you.’ He smirked. ‘Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious.’ He chuckled with a small shake of his head. ‘As you may or may not know it’s twenty six days until Christmas and I need your Christmas list.’ He tapped his hands against the counter top. ‘You know, so I can pass it along to Santa.’

“Okay listen.” Thad spoke, his voice very quiet and careful as he turned to the person besides him. “I’m going to need to you to tell me, if those girls are twins…and I’m seeing double, or if there’s actually four of them.” The male hummed, eyes fixed on the corner table as if it was a mystery he had been trying to figure out for too long. 

If there was anything that made Ophelia mellow, it was a nice day at the spa. Not that she was sure that she was ever entirely chill, but a good massage and nice facial to leave her glowing, that was as close as it was going to get. Stretching herself out as she made her way into the small coffee shop, relaxed and thoroughly worked over she didn’t even mind as the person bumped into her, a small, but very un-Ophelia like frown appeared. “Hey sorry.” She hummed, moving her back onto her other shoulder.

 Resisting the small eye roll as he spoke, Alicia didn’t really understand the trust people had in others. Maybe at one point she did but since then she’s only known being prepared for the worst out of everyone else. So a night of drinking such as Jacob had, she’d probably prepare for sleeping it off in her own car, walking home, or getting an uber. Why rely on others? “I mean have you tried getting a hold of them?” She questioned a bit, the usual hint of snark on the words. 

   Her keys in hand she took a moment, and a glance around. Not that she was afraid of Jacob, he looked more like a teddy bear or Chris Pratt when he was in Parks and Rec. “Well, isn’t it your lucky day.” Stating with a soft sigh, motioning to her car only a few spaces away. “I happen to be in a pitying mood tonight – come on, I’ll give you a ride.”

Jacob really should have figured out by now that he couldn't trust anyone but himself, the amount of shit that he'd been through should have been enough for him to not depend on anybody else ever again. Yet for some reason he still held on to some hope that he wouldn't be let down again. How wrong was he. Jacob scoffed with a roll of his eyes. 'Of course I have. Well, I was. Then my phone died.' He waved his phone in the air aimlessly, the screen staying black.

'Really?' He raised his eyebrows in surprise, he wasn't expecting the offer and as much as he wanted to resist and tell her he could make his own way back, he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Especially this late into the night. 'Thank you. I definitely owe you.' He smiled gratefully as he walked towards her car. He was certainly grateful to get out of the cold. It was freezing tonight.

Josie threw the guy a curious look as she adjusted her perception of him. He was turning out to be a cool dude - on top of having a pretty face. Maybe her friends would be the ones owing her a few beers if they actually worked up the courage to ask him out. “Honestly? Haven’t seen them try - which is the point of this exercise,” Josie said, motioning between them and offering the guy a smile. “The early bird gets the worm, right? Or the ones with the balls to risk rejection.” She tapped her bottle with her cherry red fingernails. “Booze definitely helps with that last one.”

The exchange was impressive, putting a satisfied smile on her lips. “It was great! They might kill me, but totally worth it to see that wink.” She hid her mischievous grin with a sip of her beer, kicking back the last of it. “Holy shit, you were a couple letters away from being mister Jack Daniels.” Laughter bubbled out from her lips, easy as breathing. “Nice to meet you, Jacob, but there’s no way I’m gonna let you spoil those lazy boys! You just opened a door, they better not walk through it emptyhanded, am I right?”