girls just wanna have fun

"And I'm truly so honored you sacrificed that to come and hang out with me! And I didn't even have to beg you!" Maren mixes another vodka cranberry and quickly glances around the room. Her boss is nowhere to be seen, so she clinks her glass against Bella's and takes a sip. "I can't let you drink alone. Seriously, though, Bells, I'm so happy for you! I know music has always been one of your passions. Honestly, it's inspiring the way you always go for what you want. I wish I had something I was that passionate about." She takes another sip of her drink, trying not to wallow in her fear that she'll never find something to do with her life that she loves and is actually good at. "Other than partying and breaking hot guys' hearts, of course." More patrons have started to arrive, and a group of guys in oversized cowboy hats (definitely tourists and definitely a bachelor party) are trying to get her attention at the other end of the bar. Maren holds up a finger, signaling to them that she'll be over in a minute. "Since this is a rare occasion, I feel like we need to have some sort of goal for you for the night. Do you need a wing-woman?"

"I'm going to make it my personal mission to make sure you don't regret abandoning the comfort of your solitude for the night, I promise!" She wasn't sure how she was going to do that yet, but she knew she'd figure it out as the night went on; she always did. "And next time we'll do comfy sweats, junk food, and movies, and maybe you'll finally show me some more of the art you're currently working on." Maren was always in awe of her friend's artistic talent, and she felt lucky anytime Bella felt comfortable enough to share it with her. "Well, right now what makes me happiest is good friends, good liquor, and some not-so-good men." She winked. She knew she was deflecting, and deep down, she even knew that Bella was probably right, that she would eventually find a real passion, something she was good at, but she couldn't help but feel as if she hadn't found it by now, she never would, and she was too afraid to find out which was the truth. "Honestly, just the same old, same old." She sighs. "I'm starting to wonder if maybe it's time I find a guy to spend more than just one night with, ya know?" That probably wasn't the answer to her problems. But anything that kept Maren from focusing on herself and her future was a welcome distraction. Maren waved her hand flippantly. "Oh, please, you know I'm excellent at juggling multiple things at once. Now, is there anyone in here you think is cute?"

"C'mon now. I know if there’s one thing kids these days like, it’s informative facts about a town’s history. That and video games but we both know how competitive you get," Felipe took a casual sip of his coffee. It was a total projection, as he was the one that had a competitive streak - but only with the games he really liked. Maren just happened to be more skilled at his favorite one. "I'm willing to look past it though, if you're ready for a rematch." Friendly competition aside, Felipe cared about Maren and the rest of her siblings. Their caution when it came to him and Julianna was understandable but still he was grateful for the chance they gave him. "Sure. If you believe Ollie is real, then you must believe his lost treasure's real. Personally I think it's buried somewhere deep underneath a smoothie shop. What about you? You think you'll ever get your Nic Cage on and try and track it down?"

"Yes, you are very hip with the kids, Felipe." She laughs. "Hey, I'm only competitive because I'm very protective of my high scores!" Maren first met Felipe years ago at his arcade, where she discovered that she kicks ass at arcade games. It's been a fun way for her to blow off steam and screw a few overconfident gamer guys out of some money. "You know I'm always up for a rematch, but are you sure your ego can handle it, old man?" Maren's grateful that Felipe cares about her and her siblings. She doesn't have much of a relationship with her dad anymore, and her mom could've ended up with just another Palmview douche. "Duh, the treasure is real. The smoothie shop is an interesting theory. I've always liked the idea that it's hidden in plain view somewhere in Ollie's Oddities. Nic Cage-ing is my backup plan if the whole wayward bartender thing doesn't work out."

just outside Coastal Coffeehouse || @palmviewstarters

Maren takes a sip of her iced coffee and shoots Felipe a quizzical glance. "Is this your way of trying to bond? Because if it is, I appreciate the originality." She smiles. It took a minute for Maren to warm up to the idea of Felipe dating her mother, especially after the shit-show that was her father turning out to be a total cliche and running off with his secretary, leaving Maren with a general distrust of men and their romantic intentions. But it became easy to see how happy Felipe makes her mom, and over time, he won Maren over. "I've actually done the tour a few times! I like to pretend to be a tourist when I'm bored. I'd like to believe Ollie was real, it makes life more interesting don't you think?"

"I did just run over here! I swear I haven't run that fast since the time I found an AI generated photo of what mine and my exes baby would look like on his phone." Maren shutters at the memory. "You are an absolute angel, Hadley! Literally my hero." She laughs as she tries to catch her breath. "I wouldn't say no to a glass of water." Maren waves her hand, "My boss loves me. I mean, I've never actually heard him say that, but I'm sure it's true. You should definitely go out this weekend! We're only young once!"

"I usually go for a mojito but I don't know. I'm thinking a Budweiser might fit the theme here more, wouldn't it?" Usually, a country dance hall wouldn't be his scene but it had enough good reviews that made it worth checking out. So far he wasn't seeing anything worth past three stars, not counting the bartender. He took a look around the light crowd that begun to filter it. "What time does the crowd usually pick up around here?"

"Maybe, but I'm a firm believer in doing what you want, theme or other people be damned." There's something slightly familiar about the guy in front of her, though she doesn't think they've ever met before. "Plus, I make a killer mojito." He's attractive, there's no denying it, and pretty strangers tend to be just her type. "Give it a few minutes; we usually pick up when the music does" Maren leans against the bar. "I don't think we've met before, which is a tragedy because I'd like to think I know every good-looking resident of Palmview. I'm Maren."

"And I'm truly so honored you sacrificed that to come and hang out with me! And I didn't even have to beg you!" Maren mixes another vodka cranberry and quickly glances around the room. Her boss is nowhere to be seen, so she clinks her glass against Bella's and takes a sip. "I can't let you drink alone. Seriously, though, Bells, I'm so happy for you! I know music has always been one of your passions. Honestly, it's inspiring the way you always go for what you want. I wish I had something I was that passionate about." She takes another sip of her drink, trying not to wallow in her fear that she'll never find something to do with her life that she loves and is actually good at. "Other than partying and breaking hot guys' hearts, of course." More patrons have started to arrive, and a group of guys in oversized cowboy hats (definitely tourists and definitely a bachelor party) are trying to get her attention at the other end of the bar. Maren holds up a finger, signaling to them that she'll be over in a minute. "Since this is a rare occasion, I feel like we need to have some sort of goal for you for the night. Do you need a wing-woman?"

"Okay, first, I'm so glad you're here!" Marens night just became exceptionally better now that her best friend is here to keep her company. "And second, it's like you're reading my mind, one vodka cran coming right up!" Maren fills a glass with ice and starts mixing Bella's drink while continuing their conversation. Maren has been bartending for so long that it's all muscle memory now. "It's always a long night when Taylor's playing, boy knows how to draw in a crowd. But the long nights usually make for the best stories." Maren slides Bella's drink in front of her. "On the house. So how was the store today? Miss slinging drinks for drunk surf bros yet?"

@palmviewstarters

Maren is nearly out of breath as she bursts through the doors of Sunshine Bakery. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'd normally never come in so close to closing, but I overslept and I literally dreamt of your pastries last night! Like, I don't think I'll be able to make it through my shift without one, I'll take whatever you still have available!" She gives Hadley her best puppy dog eyes. "I'll give you free drinks for life at Tipsy Shores.... okay, well maybe not for life, because I don't have that kind of power and my boss would kill me, but I'll give you a free drink!"