born to be mild

They were really just diving in, weren’t they? Andrew had prepared for this, had stood in front of the mirror and pointed at his reflection, very sternly demanding himself to take this all seriously. No ridiculous answers, just earnestness. “I’ll be honest, Mr. Dunn—” that still felt awkward to say— “I don’t have a finance background.” He did understand how office environments worked, though, and how important it was to understand something from the ground up. Andrew wanted to work somewhere he could take on as much responsibility as was offered to him, and he wanted something good to put on a resume. Maybe, he’d even like accounting. 

So he said all of that. Explained how hiring him would make Lucas’ life a lot easier, how he could simply handle the most minute of things because frankly, Andrew was good with details. Not with people, but when it came to school and work, he didn’t miss a thing. 

“Sorry to ramble.” 

The Mr. Dunn hit him again, in the worst way possible. He was really going to have to put an end to that as soon as possible. He wasn’t sure if he could have Andrew in the office calling him Mr. Dunn every day. But other than the name, everything Andrew said was good. He clearly had good interview skills and understood exactly what Lucas was looking for, even though Lucas barely knew himself. 

“Don’t apologize. I wish when I rambled it was half as intelligible as that.”

They went back and forth for a while. Lucas would ask a question and Andrew would deliver a great answer. Honestly, Lucas was impressed. He liked Andrew, thought he was a good kid. But he never thought he’d ever be in the position to hire him. “Alright, let’s switch gears. What questions do you have for me?” 

She nods once, letting her head hang for a moment before she allows a small, dry laugh to leave her lips. She takes a deep breath, picking herself up to face him. He didn’t know her. He didn’t know anything about her. And her past certainly had nothing to do with him. “Alright. You’re in luck. I don’t want to associate with someone who dumps their baggage onto people they barely know.” She crosses her arms. She’d refused to apologize to her own parents for leaving – was she going to apologize to a man that had no stakes in her life? “I don’t know if you’re talking about me running away from home when I was seventeen or the part where I got married and left my husband. Either way, neither of those situations are any of your business, but if you must know, I felt like I could die if I didn’t run. It was suffocating. Sitting in my parents house with no future to look forward to was suffocating. Marriage was suffocating. I’m not apologizing to anyone for putting myself first  – for doing what I needed to feel like I could actually breathe, especially not you. I know you’ve probably wasted away for the past few months, wondered what kind of person leaves someone they loved, but maybe you should consider this: she probably didn’t love you. Get over it, Lucas. You got left at the altar. Maybe it’s time to move on and count your blessings.”

“You think you’re the only person who felt trapped? Felt like they were suffocating?” At a certain point in Lucas’s life, everything he did was in hopes of getting away from Frostford, getting away from everyone in the town. He knew all too well the feeling she was talking about. But unlike Alina, he cared too much about what others wanted and never put himself first. Maybe he resented her a little for that too. For having the courage to leave. She hit him with a low blow, mentioning his ex and failed attempt at a marriage. He couldn’t be too mad about it, not like he didn’t throw the first punch. “You’re right! You’re right. Clearly she didn’t love me the way I thought. But she was a selfish coward for doing what she did. And so are you. You say you put yourself first, fine. That’s fine. You don’t deserve it stay in a situation that makes you unhappy. Doesn’t change the fact that what you did was wrong. You left in a lurch and you caused people pain. And yes, I am projecting and you don’t deserve this from me. But I’m sick of being the person sitting quietly, not saying anything in hopes of keeping others happy. You make me uncomfortable because of the choices you’ve made. I don’t want to be around you anymore.”

“Yeeaah those sound about right,” Maisie admitted.  She’d been gone for most of the last year but she’d had plenty of town-related updates from her siblings and friends.  She’d heard… Well, she’s heard.  Luckily, her own issues hadn’t been broadcasted across town yet.  Though, in Frostford, that could only last so long.  “Mostly back to makin’ coffee.  And bein’ up at god awful hours to keep the ladies of this town happy and with bread.”  

“If you need a safe space to nap, I have a pretty comfy couch at home you can crash on,” he offered. “I also have less comfortable chairs you can try to sleep in at the office but you know how accounting offices get super wild so...” It actually might be the perfect place to put anyone to sleep. “Hey! And we thank you for your service. I love my daily coffee and bagel from the bakery.” 

She tried to keep her smile plastered across her face, but it wasn’t hard to notice the slight falter in it. She brushed her hands against her jeans, struggling to find a comfortable position for them – she was uncomfortable. Her body language made that evident. “What do you mean?” Her voice didn’t contain its usual pep, it was quiet, on edge. “If you have a problem with me, Lucas, I’d rather you just spit it out than make me play some sort of guessing game to figure out how I’ve apparently offended you.” 

He noticed the smile on her face failing, the shift in tone in her voice. And he wanted to immediately take everything back, to apologize for his outburst. But not because he didn’t mean what he said, because he was a textbook people pleaser and didn’t like seeing someone upset. No, he had to hold his ground or he’d go back to uncomfortably sitting beside her in a bar. “I don’t know how make it any clearer than this, Alina. I don’t want to associate with someone who just abandons people.” 

“Metaphorically lost. It’s a river, it goes one way. You start north and you just head on down south. You want some arm floaties? I can pick some up down at River & Peak.”

“People get literally lost on rivers all the time. Currents can pick up and wash people out or drag them under. And I know you’re joking but I actually would like some kind of life vest or something.” 

“I mean,” she scrunched her eyebrows together in confusion, “I was joking. Hence the laugh. If you’re looking to throw money at something, though, please do so at Planned Parenthood.” 

“Aha, I knew that,” he lied. “It’s called a bit. I was...playing along,” he attempted to cover. Maybe she’ll believe him or maybe she’ll be nice and pretend to believe it and just move on. 

“She sounds like fun,” Kat mused, an approving smile tugging at the corners of her lips as Lucas spoke about the cake his sister had gotten him. Though her eyebrows knitted together as he continued, head tilting back in the slightest as curiosity got the better of her. “Have you got somethin’ against weddings? Glad we’re finding common ground though. His favorite? I’ve never seen his eyes light up the way they do when brownies are around.” Or Kaleigh, but she kept her mouth shut for that part. “More specifically, cosmic brownies.”

Lucas paused his thought process and just stared at the girl for a moment. Was she actually asking? Did she not know? She might be one of the few people in town that he’s talked to recently that didn’t know anything about his ex. “Commitment phobe,” he lied, not wanting to dwell. “But alright, now we’re cookin’ with gas. Cosmic brownies. We can get him a few boxes and maybe some beer too? Not that I want to turn him into someone who drinks problems away but having a beer with friends is a good way to cheer people up. Wait, you’re...of age, right?” 

“Well that’s just a fun little quirk of mine!  Shows how much you know,” Maisie sniffed, failing to hide a smile as she slid her hand into his and pulled herself up.  “I’m just…”  she gestured vaguely as searched for a word, finally settling on: “peachy!  How’ve you been?  Don’t think I’ve seen you since I got back from UA.” 

"You’re right, I apologize. I should really be better at remember your fun, little quirks,” he teased. “Peachy and...sleepy?” She was right, it had been a while since he saw the younger Duchanne. Didn’t mean she didn’t know everything that’s happened. “I’ve been good. And you’re right. What have you been up to since you’ve gotten back?” 

“You know I haven’t been tubin’ on that river for ages. C’mon, let’s get the crew gathered up, strap some of those tubes together, grabs a few coolers and spend a Saturday gettin’ lost.”

@frostfordstart​

“Lost? I don’t want to get lost? Also, I can’t swim. I’m fine if we stay with the innertubes and near the riverbank so I can flail to safety if need be. But you lost me at gettin’ lost.” 

“it’s pride month which means everyone owes me at least a $20 donation for keeping things interesting around here so… where’s your payment?” she asked, deadpan serious for a few moments before cracking a laugh to show she was clearly joking. ( @frostfordstart​ )

@frostfordstart​

Open - can be anywhere.

“Why are people just mean?”

“Sleeping? Pfft. Nah.  I was just, uh, distracted?”  Maisie lied.  She didn’t mean to doze off, but she was a little lacking in the sleep department with her whole situation with her parents.  “Gimme a hand up?”

@frostfordstart​

He knew she was lying, it was obvious. And it was also something he was sure he’s heard his own sister say on more than one occasion. “So weird how you snore while you’re distracted,” he teased, offering his hand to help her up. “You doing alright?” 

“I – huh?” Why did he care so much that she’d left? She’d already been back a year. “I didn’t realize you cared so much, Lucas.” Her brows furrow. “Is this, like, you tellin’ me you’re in love with me or something? Cause that’s a lot of pressure.” She takes a step back, a nervous laugh leaving her. “Woah. I’m not selfish. I do things for other people all the time. I gave Joel Abernathy skincare advice.” 

He couldn’t believe the words that came out of her mouth. He couldn’t believe that she was that delusional. “I would never be in love with you,” he stated, calm and cold. “And the fact that you seriously think that only proves my point. You’re not a good person, Alina.” 

She smiles softly, leaning her elbow against the desk, her hand sweeping through her hair. She’d been rambling and she’d forced him to offer words of comfort. Kind of embarrassing. “Feels like it falls under the label of life skills. I’m glad you aren’t givin’ yourself flu shots, though, for what it’s worth.” She couldn’t, and wouldn’t, force Lucas to listen to her problems. But –  well. “It’s just. You know? They’re just stupid taxes. But then I’m thinking about taxes and I feel like I could cry. Does that ever happen to you? Maybe if I’d figured out how to do my own taxes during my twenties I wouldn’t be sitting here, post divorce, making you uncomfortable because taxes make me uncomfortable.” 

“If it were a life skill, wouldn’t we be required to learn it in school? Right along with fractions and knowing what prime numbers are.” He actually did think knowing how to file a tax return was an important life skill and should be taught to schools to everyone. But he wasn’t there to make Melody feel bad about needing help. Plus filing taxes was what most of his business was in the small town so he couldn’t exactly afford for people figuring it out themselves. “Mel,” he breathed out. “You’re not making me feel uncomfortable. Just go easy on yourself, ok? I can show you how to do your taxes? They’re not as bad as they seem, really. And I wouldn’t mind showing you.” 

When he’d first applied he’d figured knowing Lucas was way easier than not knowing who was going to interview him. Working with someone he knew was infinitely better than being around strangers who didn’t trust you, in theory. In reality, Andrew had no trouble making a home for himself in the midst of strangers. New people were only new for a little while, and then they were just constants in his life. 

Lucas Dunn had already been in his life forever, and now Andrew was standing here clutching his UT padfolio, the very professional looking ones they’d handed out in front of the clocktower one week, feeling awkward. He was wearing a tie.“Yep, right here.” He kind of wanted to extend his own hand into the hallway and say shall we, but Lucas did it and started walking, and then suddenly they were at Lucas desk. “I kept it down to one page and made sure only the relevant experience is on here.” Three internships, his college GPA, treasurer of his fraternity, graduated UT with high honors. This was fine. “Um so Bushel’s is not on there, but I’ve learned a lot working there, too. If you have any questions.” 

He really needed to get over his nerves. He was the employer here, he was in charge of the interview. Plus, he knew Andrew Sterling. Lucas has known the Sterlings for most of his life so there was no reason for him to worry about anything. Once at his desk, Lucas took a seat and began to relax a bit. He needed to look at this as objectively as possible. He was simply asking Andrew a series of questions. Nothing else. 

He was really hoping the interview tactics he had read up on would help him here. He reached out to take the resume from Andrew, giving it a quick once over. “So, this position, Administrative Assistant, what drew you to this position? And what exactly do you see as your job function being in this role?” 

Easton: I'm not very good at it tbh

Easton: have you ever played dance dance revolution? do you want to come over?

Easton: oh haha once i drank 6 cups of sweet tea and had a panic attack

Lucas: I did a few times back in the day.

Lucas: It's kind of late for that though. I have work tomorrow. Don't wanna make the boss mad ;)