MISS ATOMIC BOMB

8. What kind of inner life do they have — rich and imaginative? Calculating and practical? Full of doubts and fears? Does it find any sort of outlet in their lives?

Her outer life is nothing but confidence, imaginative, and bubbly. Meanwhile, her inner life is very much full of doubts and fears. She thinks highly of her abilities - confident and competitive in activities and the work she does. However, she doubts her worth. She does her best to not let it control her - she even has a tattoo on her upper back towards her neck that says: FEAR/FATE. A representation of her mantra of “never let your fear decide your fate.”

9. Do they dream? What are those dreams like?

Excluding the actual dreams she has while sleeping, the dreams she has for life is to be happy and less lonely. She wants to feel fulfilled and live a life near the beach. That’s all that’s important to her. Maybe deep down she dreams of having her own family one day, but that dream feels too impossible to even think it.

19. What are they likely to do if they have the opportunity, resources, and time to accomplish it? Why?

13. What kind of relationships do they tend to intentionally seek out versus actually cultivate? What kind of social contact do they prefer, and why?

In terms of romantic relationships, Chey often loves the idea of falling for a best friend. She seeks out someone she can trust and laugh with. She’s also a firm believer in opposites attract. She is drawn to relationships that make her truly feel something and has passion. However, more often than not, she finds herself in a friends with benefits type of relationship because she’s perpetually the “fun” friend who isn’t worth dating. Believe it or not, Chey prefers intimate social contact. Yes, she likes to have fun. Yes, she likes to drink... However, she’d take a night in having a small cookout and having drinks with someone than being at the bar, shooting another round of pool like she so often does.

21. What is their preferred level of activity and stimulation? How do they cope if they get either too little or too much?

Chey has to always be doing something. It’s why filmmaking is a perfect job for her. It’s a job that requires her to bust her ass for 15+ hours a day with little to no time off during productions. Out of production, and on her time off, she uses whatever free time she has to go surfing, see family, and spend as much time as she can at the beach. She’s this way just because it’s often hard for her to be by herself. Not only is she secretly very lonely, but her brain doesn’t treat her too kindly when she’s idle. When life gets too crazy and she starts living in her head more, she tends to run away and ghost the people she loves for a bit. There’s a good chance she’ll run all the way to Texas to stay with her parents for a bit.

22. Is there anything that counts as a “dealbreaker” for them, positively or negatively? What makes things go smoothly, and what spoils an activity or ruins their day? Why?

Hayley playfully rolled her eyes at the other’s words. She would never believe that she was a good enough mother for Heather, no matter what Chey or anyone else said. As much as she wanted to believe it, she knew that she was the reason her daughter was growing up without a father and she blamed herself for that. Even if she tried to make up for that by being a good mother to her, like her mom had been to her all her life. “Well, maybe I want to be corrupted a little bit, ever consider that?” she said teasingly as she took a sip of the wine. “I’ve been way too sheltered all my life, it’s about time to be honest.”

One of the many reasons Chey admired Hayley was how good of a mother she was. Doing it on her own is something Chey couldn’t particularly fathom, and Hayley made it seem effortless most days. Of course Chey knew she didn’t agree with the sentiment, but that didn’t stop her from thinking it any less. Sipping the wine, doing her best not to drink it too fast, she wiggled her eyebrows a bit at Hayley’s comment. “Ah, I see. You wanna take a walk on the wild side.” Chey looked at her for a moment in thought and then created a proposal in her head. “You know what I’d like to see you do? One of these days just do something for you. You’re always taking care of everyone else. When’s the last time you did something fun for yourself for the hell of it? And don’t you dare say eating takeout and drinking wine with me tonight, because this doesn’t count in the slightest.”

“How’s that goin’ for you?” He asked, surprised to hear she was taking a break but glad. He chuckled at her words, shaking his head. “Now why would I be avoiding you? We always have such fun together.” A similar grin appearing on his lips this time. “Work keeps me very busy, y’know. Those new apartments aren’t goin’ to build themselves.”

“You know, not too bad, actually.” Though most didn’t assume such a thing, Chey was a workaholic most of the time. Taking the summer off was a scary choice, but once she was thankful for. A familiar smile found her lips at his comment and she let out a small chuckle. “I’m starting to remember why Grayson likes you so much. Always busy buildin’ stuff.”

With an exaggerated gasp, Zola watched as Chey pressed some sand onto her leg, though she made no actual effort to wipe it away. Instead, she returned the favor with a chuckle. “I can’t promise I won’t forever haunt you with it, but I also don’t want to be buried in sand on this beach either.” At her friend’s proposal, she simply nodded determinedly, as if agreeing to some big mission. “Deal, we’ll do it.” Another idea popped into Zola’s mind, though she hesitated to bring it up. It wasn’t that she didn’t already trust Chey with her musical career, because she did, but it was simply instinct for her to guard everything music-related with tight locks inside her mind, rarely letting anyone know that she was still recording songs once in a while. “By the way, I’ve been thinking… I’ve been working on some things lately. Music, I mean. We could hit the studio for a while, one of these days. If you want.”

Feeling content, Chey leaned back and soaked in more sun as she made a mental note to hang out with Zola more. She made the summer feel like... summer. And maybe that didn’t make much sense, but it did for Chey. It was her favorite season and for the past few years, Chey had been too consumed with work to enjoy it. Being with Zola felt like the good days of not having worries and focused on not getting too burnt by the sun. Just as the woman found a sense of calm, she couldn’t help but slightly spring up at the mention of music. Taking off her sunglasses, she looked at Zola both shocked and excited. “Excuse me? You let me ramble to you about goddamn movie shit and you’re just now telling me about this?” Of course she knew the woman was a bit guarded, but Chey couldn’t help to playfully overreact. “I’d sell my freaking soul to listen to your music or even make some music with you, Zo.”

At the offer of dinner at his sister’s, Cameron smiled. He was far from a gourmet chef and the idea of a decent home-cooked meal was very appealing to him. He needed a taste of home in this new place. He didn’t know how long it might take for him to feel at home here. “Sure. As long as there are absolutely no olives on the menu, I’ll be there.” He chuckled, his grin broadening when Chey jostled his arm. “That is my sole purpose for being, to be mocked by my little sister. Keeps me humble.” When she mentioned her impending birthday, Cameron did a double-take. “What? Who said you were allowed to have a birthday this year? The older you get, the older I get.. it’s a whole thing.” His expression softened almost immediately though and he nodded. “Of course I’ll be there, whatever you want. Well, almost whatever. No piercing pacts this year.” @mandacjs​

“Damn, and to think I was planning an olive-only dish,” she responded sarcastically, just to add to the mocking that he supposedly lived for. Giving his shoulder a hard pat, she let out a sigh and smiled. “Looks like we’re both officially old. You more than me, obviously...” A birthday with Cameron around was one worth celebrating. Chey moved from the kitchen and wandered to his living room, falling back onto the couch rather dramatically. “So,” she broke the momentary silence as he finished up a box. “When do you plan on telling me the real reason why you’re here now?” Straight the point - Chey was never one to bullshit with him. 

She wasn’t sure how much of what the other was saying was true, but she didn’t see the point in pushing her to talk if she didn’t want to. “If you’re sure.” she responded with small smile on her lips, resting her head over hers. “Well, you can be sure your friends are calling out to you louder.” she teased. “So I suggest you finish that cake and we go over there and dance till we drop.”

Hayley was a reminder that Chey needed. A reminder that even if the woman could feel particularly lonely at times, she wasn’t necessarily alone. There were people who loved her, people who showed up for her birthday that night. Chey took in a deep breath and smiled in agreement. “Aye-aye, captain.” Picking at the rest of the cake, she ate it quick and swabbed some frosting on her finger before pushing it on Hayley’s face with a bright smile. “Thanks again for the cake,” she told her cheekily before quickly getting up and running over to the fire where people gathered while jamming out to music loudly. 

Zane nodded in agreement, certainly not one to push the subject if she didn’t want to talk about it. He wasn’t really expecting Chey to open up to him, given that they mostly just knew each other by association to Zola and Jenn, and he imagined that she’d certainly prefer either one of those two to vent to. Still, he was glad that she was cracking jokes, the same as he’d always known her. He went along with it, frowning as if offended. “Damn, that one hurt. Here I was, just trying to be nice to you, Johnson,” he gestured towards her defensively, though merely joking around. He offered a bright smile in return. “So, you ready to go back to the party and get wasted until you forget your name?” 

It was always easy with him - like he shifted the mood without even trying. Chey pulled herself out of her head that she so often got swept up in and let out a laugh in response to him taking playful offense. “We both know you’re not nice. It’s why I like having you around.” Of course she was only joking, because he was indeed pretty nice. However, it was more fun to mess with him than admit the truth. “I think I hear a bottle of tequila calling my name. So to answer your question, yes. Fuck yes.” Chey pushed herself up and brushed off the sand that lingered on her shorts. She held her hands out to help him up. “But only if you drink with me, of course.”

“You’re welcome.” She grinned as the other appreciated the taste, she was glad that Chey liked it. “Not to get sappy on your birthday but I’ll do anything for lil ol’ you.” she said teasingly. “Don’t apologize, I was way worse on my 30th.” she chuckled. Which had been true but she soon realized that things didn’t change a lot just because she reached a certain age. “What’s bothering you? I honestly expected you to be in the middle of the party, going wild.” she admitted to the other. It was rare that she saw Chey so somber and she hoped it wasn’t something to worry about.

Hayley was one of those people in her life that Chey enjoyed being a light in. She didn’t like Hayley to think she was anything less than the image she painted of Chey being in the middle of the party going wild. So, she opted for white lies instead of slipping farther into her thoughts that evening. “Nothing’s bothering me,” she protested and looked out to the water. “You know me, I just love the ocean so much. Felt it calling out to me.” She smiled and moved to rest her head on the woman’s shoulder. “Why go wild when I can just enjoy some cake by the ocean, or whatever that Jonas kid sang about.” 

He nodded in agreement to Chey’s statement, lifting his beer in the air to her before taking a sip as well. Zane hesitated to tell her that he’d been sent, unsure if it would be better to assure her that he’d come simply to keep her company. Eventually, he gave in, shrugging casually as if accepting that it was obvious. “Yea, I can’t deny that. But I’m sure you know I’m the smarter sibling so, if you’re needing some life advice I’m the best one to give it,” he joked with a laugh, though what he said held some truth to it. “I’m also the one who’s also turned 30 this year, so. Happy birthday again, by the way. Should I ask what’s on your mind?” 

Even though she found the sentiment of him coming over to be a sweet one, it didn’t necessarily make her want to pour her heart out to him. Chey preferred keeping the image of the fun friend, the girl you looked for when you wanted to have a drink and forget about the hardships of life. She had always been that girl, always the person to take away the struggles of others with a cheery smile and a witty tongue. It was easier that way. “Thanks, but it’s best to stay away from my mind,” she replied then offered a smile. Chey took a swig of her beer and immediately changed the mood with a joke. “And you’re only 30? Wow. You don’t look a day over 47.” And with that she wore a bright and playful grin, quick to bump her elbow against his. 

Once his hands were free of the goods, Cameron lowered himself to the sand to sit by his sister. He smiled knowingly, almost certain that she would ask how he was faring even though this gathering wasn’t about him. “Sure. Your friends are nice. I feel.. welcomed.” He nodded slowly, reaching over to steal a dollop of frosting from the cake he’d given away. He wasn’t much for sweets, but a special ocassion warranted at least a taste of frosting. “I’m trying to figure out if you’re having a good time though. Since it is your birthday and all,” he reminded her before sampling the confection. “What’s up? Existential crisis’ not supposed to hit until 32 by my calculation..”  @mandacjs​

She knew all too well that even though she was the one entering her thirties, Cameron was truly the one in a new transition in his life. If he was having a good time and adjusting to Eastcliff, that’s all that really mattered to her. “Good. They like you. Plus, Gray seems pretty happy you’re in town. Probably because he’s sick of me,” she teased and attempted to swat his hand away as he reached out for the dessert he offered. Pushing her fork into the cake, she took his question and let it run through her head a few times before answering. It was unlike her - the woman who rarely thought before spoke so freely. Then again, these days she was becoming more calculated with her words. “Oh Cam. I’ve been having an existential crisis since I was thirteen. This is nothing new.” It was an attempt of a joke, though there was no real lie within it. She gave him a smile and a small shrug of her shoulders. “I’m having a good time. Don’t get me wrong. I’m just having a moment, I guess.. I just never imagined what it’d be like to be thirty.” Truth was, when she was younger she was convinced she wouldn’t be around to see the day. Now that it was here, she couldn’t help but feel a little lost. What now? Was this the life she expected to have? Too much thinking for a girl who should’ve been celebrating. “I feel like I’m missing something... But maybe cake and beer was all that was missing in my life.” She let out a small chuckle and took a bite of the cake. 

As fun as the bonfire was, along with not being on the shift, Alex simply wasn’t used to it. Soon enough, everything seemed too loud, everything seemed too much, and she found herself wandering towards the ocean, craving for a moment or two just to be alone. The loneliness didn’t last long, and Alex nearly jumped when a girl spoke up so close to her; she hadn’t even heard her before. “I can offer a promise of a beer an a pastry when we get back there?” She offered, recovering quickly from her initial surprise.

Chey had assumed the approaching person had to be Grayson, but she quickly realized she wrong. Giving a sheepish smile to the woman, she pulled her legs closer to herself as she sat in the sand. “Sorry, I thought you were someone else,” she admitted and then looked at the girl a bit more. She was familiar, but not enough to place a name to the face. It hit her then that she had only seen her in photos at Hayley’s place. “Your Hayley’s sister, right? I don’t know if we’ve ever properly met. I’m Chey.”’

“Sorry to disappoint on the cake front but,” he paused, lifting the two beers in his hands and clicking them together, the sound punctuating his sentence, “I did bring beer.” Zane offered the girl a sympathetic smile, knowing all too well the strange feeling of having the numbers 3 and 0 on a cake’s candles for you. He wasn’t sure if that was what was on Chey’s mind, he couldn’t say he knew her that well, but he’d noticed her drifting off from the party and brought it to his sister’s attention. For whatever reason, she’d sent him to check on Chey instead, probably thinking that if she was suffering a mid-life crisis he’d have the better advice to give her. “Mind if I join you in exchange for the beer? Or do you want to contemplate the meaning of life by yourself a little longer?”

Looking over, she smiled at the sight of Zane and happily took the beer he offered to her. Chey had to admit she didn’t imagine him to be the one wandering over there, but she wasn’t necessarily disappointed. Sometimes it was easier to talk to people like him than the ones she was closest to, anyways. “Never a disappointment when beer is involved,” she corrected him and then patted the spot next to her. “I’ve contemplated the meaning of life enough for one day. It’s overrated, anyways.” She took a swig of the beer and smiled over at him, a warm expression on her features. “Thanks for the beer... But let me guess. Zo sent you over here.”

“Yes, I am here to convince you come back, and yes, I did bring cake.” She sat down beside the other and passed her the huge slice of cake which she had brought over for her. Somehow she imagined Chey would be in a better mood on her birthday, but then again, she had been rather moody too on her own 30th. She had imagined she would have done many things in her twenties, almost none of which she had accomplished, it wasn’t the best feeling. “Did you even taste it, Chey? I spent a lot of my time baking it for you, you know?” she teased, nudging her a little.

The woman couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty for not trying her cake out yet nor had she properly thanked her for it. “I’m sorry, Hales. I really can’t thank you enough for the cake.” She took the plate she offered and dug her fork into the slice before piling it into her mouth. Of course it was delicious - she didn’t expect anything less. “Damn,” she replied as she finished her mouthful. “It’s perfect. Thanks for making it for lil ol’ me.” Chey let out a small chuckle and then smiled at her while she dug her toes in the sand. “Sorry I’m not being so... sociable right now. I just gotta snap out of it.”

Cameron had been doing his part as a newbie in town to mingle with his sister’s friends at the bonfire in honor of her 30th birthday, but when he looked around she wasn’t with the cozy group anymore. She wasn’t hard to find thankfully. He simply had to follow the shoreline to her. The eldest Johnson grinned when Chey addressed him without even knowing who she was talking to. “Ah-hah, who knows you better than your oldest brother?” he bragged, holding out a plate with a thick slice of cake then gently waving a fresh beer with his other hand. “How’s it feel to be ancient?” @mandacjs​

A smile found her lips as she looked back at Cameron who brought her just what she needed. Having him there made the party a little more bearable. Chey normally loved birthday parties. She was the one who planned them, always making sure everyone had a good time. She had even throw Cameron some in the past. But her own birthday was one she never found herself all too in love with. It was hard to put in words why that was. “You know me too well,” she told him before taking the items. Taking a bite out of the cake, she rolled her eyes and smiled nodding. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m still twenty-one,” she joked. “You having a good time, though?”