Molly Prior

She wasn’t really stressed, but even so, Molly found herself hurrying inside the small convenience store, not really looking where she was going much but rather just for the few things she needed. So, when she quickly spun around on the spot after just having grabbed a bottle of soy sauce from one of the shelves, it really shouldn’t have come as a surprise that she bumped right into someone. “Oh, sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going.” What did come as a surprise though, was that when she turned her gaze up, she actually recognized the man’s face. “Oh, hey.” Her lips curling into a smile laced with mild surprise, she hadn’t expected seeing Angel of all people. “Sorry, seems like I’m a bit out of it today.” It was only when she realized that she already had apologized once before that her eyebrows knitted together, and she spoke up again. “... And that was two apologies. Sorry. I told you — out of it.”

                      “Ain’t it all about who you know? You’re a charming girl, Molly Prior. I doubt it’ll be as hard as you think,” He knew next to nothing of what it was like to be a chef, the industry surely up there with any art form you were trying to make a living off of–– cooking craft that took not only talent, but hard work and skill. What he did know, however, was to run his mouth off as if he knew he did. It was a shot in the dark; one he was prepared to either be a hit or a blunder, depending on her reaction, “Even New York? No one gets tired of New York,” He often said himself he was a Northerner born and raised in the Georgian bush, and the world’s favourite city was where he wished his conception started. Maybe he’d be different. Probably the same, “Hard, you’re sayin’? Why?”

"Charm won’t do me much good. But knowing the right people never hurts, does it?” After all, that was probably the biggest reason as to why Molly currently was at the Cube. In the hopes of getting attention from the right crowd — say what you want about Jason, but at least he gave the impression of being a well-connected man. “I grew tired of San Fransisco. So, right now New York doesn’t sound so appealing.” It wasn’t the town itself but the surroundings that she needed a break from; someplace a little more quiet, with a little less people. “Because I’m too young or too inexperienced. The usual stuff.” Shrugging, it was excuses she had been hearing a lot at first, but hopefully less now thanks to her job at The Kitchen. Jesting, Molly added, “You know, if you wanted to interview me before giving me the job, you could have just said so.”

“You think so? Well, that gives me a lot of hope that I’ll be alright in the end then, even if it means I’ll have to move to some far-off country to make it happen,” she said, light laughter parting from her lips. Love was a strange concept to June these days, and though part of her certainly hoped for the kind like her grandparents had proved existed, an even bigger part of her doubted whether it would happen to her. But that was okay — Or so she continuously told herself when she needed to. “No no, it’s okay, you don’t have to apologise. And you definitely don’t have to stop complaining — Everyone needs to vent and complain, it makes us all live longer,” she claimed with light laughter. Misery was all relative, and it all mattered no matter how big or small it seemed in comparison to someone else’s struggle. That’s what June thought at least. “Well in that case, we should go out soon! We don’t have to drink or anything like that. Maybe we can go into the city and catch a show, or something? Or go to Staten Island and pretend to be tourists,” she suggested, her lips parting in a large grin at the sound of her own idea, which was rather ridiculous, but still held potential.

A mild smile growing on Molly’s lips when June reassured her that her words had been no trouble at all, even if she still felt insensitive compared to what the blonde was going through with her grandparent. "Yeah, I guess you’re right about that. At least complaining makes you feel better most of the time.” They were only human after all, and everyone had their own problems, no matter how big or small they were. Even so, Molly was glad to move along the subject to more pleasant things, and truth be told, neither of June’s ideas sounded bad. “Honestly, those all sound good to me. I haven’t even been much in the city, so anywhere we’d go, I’d be more or less a tourist.” After having lived in San Fransisco for so long, she had grown tired of the city life and tempo of larger cities, and therefore not been much in New York so far. “Maybe a show and something to eat before that? I know, I sound crazy obsessive but I actually like going to fancy restaurants whenever I don’t work.”

“Oh yeah?” she raised a brow curiously. Astrid had always been a terrible gossip; it was part of why journalism was the perfect career path for her. “Well, go on - tell me the details! The only downfall of not really dating is I don’t have any messy ‘running into exes’ stories to tell….” 

"You know I don’t really date much either, right? And he’s not an ex, we were just fooling around for a time while I lived back in Paris. He just thought we were more serious than I did, so I cut things off.” Knowing very well that Astrid wanted all the details, Molly wasn’t sure she wanted to give them; she was still hesitant about much of it herself. “I don’t know. It was weird seeing him again, that’s all.”

             “I like the sound of that. I guess there’s still hope for me then,” She replied with a chuckle and a glimmer of mirth in her eye. Cooking wasn’t something she was an expert at, but she wasn’t completely miserable in the kitchen either. She’d grown up in a home were dinner was always on the table, and everyone ate together, so cooking and helping in the kitchen had been a big part of her upbringing, and something she still cherished today.

Picking up a spoon, she nodded and looked at Molly. “Well, in that case then remember to tell all the customers that I told them to tip you really, really well, okay?” She chuckled lightly at her order, quickly scooping a nice portion of risotto onto a plate. 

“Alright alright, boss,” She teased, “Oh god, it smells too good—”

"There’s always hope. I mean, I wasn’t exactly born with the talent myself.” Jesting, Molly laughed. Nah, back in the day when she had been really young, her food had definitely not been the best. But it was by burning food and tasting stuff that really didn’t go together that she learnt how things were supposed to be instead. “I’ll let you do the cooking on one of my nights off and just be here to look over your shoulder.” If that would even be necessary.

“Honestly, I don’t think that’ll help much. And I barely have time to leave the kitchen anyways.” Especially not when things were so hectic, she had enough on her plate trying to keep the kitchen and staff in synch. “But we do have some nice tippers, though.” Waiting for Olivia to dig in first, Molly grabbed her own plate and filled up a portion as well. “It does, doesn’t it? I gotta say, I’ve always had sort of a weak spot for risotto.” Going to take place by the table, she threw another look at Olivia. “But enough food talk. How was work for you today?”

Angel smirked as Molly seemed to cut him off at every corner. Something told him that she didn’t let a lot get past her; that she wasn’t an easy girl to charm. “Nah. That’s stalker mode right there,” he shook his head, certain he wouldn’t go that far to find the chef considering they’d only just met today. “Maybe you could just tell me.. and save all that trouble?” He shrugged, not one to be insulted if she denied him the name of the restaurant where she worked. She really didn’t owe him anything, but if she wanted to see him again in the near future, that information would be useful. “Okay, okay. Molly.” He laughed softly, lifting his hands in a show of concession. “True. I can paint my own pictures. I’ve got a wild imagination.” Angel waggled his brows, then chuckled again. He fished his phone from his pocket and glanced at the time, chewing his bottom lip in thought. “Hm, I better take these cupcakes outta here soon .. ” @mollyprior​

That’s stalker mode right there. Yeah... He was sure right about that. A part of her was glad that he didn’t actually say he would’ve picked that alternative. “I mean, I could...” Of course, just handing him the answer had always been the easiest option. And while she kind of wanted to do the exact opposite and let him work for it a little more, Molly really wouldn’t mind having him as a customer at all — if she would even notice him being there. “If you ever come by The Kitchen at some point, make sure to tell whoever waits on you to let me know, alright?” For some friends and family, she didn’t mind doing something extra — and Angel was sure aiming for the ‘friend’ title right now. A smile paired with a light shake of her head as he claimed to have a pretty vivid imagination without her help, somehow, she didn’t doubt that at all. Although, as soon as he started looking at his phone, Molly immediately became aware of how long he had kept her company already. “Yeah, don’t run late on my account. Trust me, I’m not worth the trouble.” A brief, reassuring chuckle slipped through parted lips, and she nodded towards the exit. “Good luck with the cupcakes.”

Lily shook her head in response to the question, just honestly relieved to be seeing a friendly face. “Crazy clients today,” she answered. “I swear this festival’s driven everyone nuts. I have no idea how that’s actually possible, but they’re all expecting miracles” She laughed, just wanting to forget about it now, having had the longest morning ever. “Seems it’s one of those days —- or morning’s at least.”

"Ugh, yeah, tell me about it.” Shaking her head in disbelief, Molly too had been dealing with the results of the festival that had just started. “We don’t even open up in a few more hours, I’ve just been at work prepping all morning because we ran out of basically everything last night with the amount of people we had.” A hand thrown out to the side, eyebrows raised, Molly let out a deep sigh, her lips forming a mild smile as she looked back at Lily. “Let’s hope it’s just this first week, right? Things gotta calm down at some point.”

@mollyprior;

It had been another busy morning for Lily and not of the positive variety, she was doing her best to push that fact aside, though, making her way back to her place. That was when she spotted Molly and a small smile crept across her features upon setting sights on her neighbour. “Hey!” she greeted her, raising her hand in a wave, her voice cheerful. “Please tell me you’re having a better day than me,” she chuckled.

"Lily — hi!” So, the thing about Molly and one of their neighbors, Lily, was that the two of them always seemed to bump into each other when either one or the other was in a hurry, never really getting the chance to exchange anything other than quick hello’s and goodbyes. Though for once, today Molly had no time limiting her presence, just on her way home from work. “Well, it’s been a crazy morning at the restaurant, so I don’t know... Why — what’s your worst?”

                      “I gotta say, I can’t blame them— I would do anything to be a permanent taste tester for you, but lucky for you, every time I do say something nice about your food, I mean it a hundred percent,” She promised, her visage laced with a warm smile that reached far, nothing but truth to it. 

“Good, because I love to win.” She did, but not as much as some people did. Olivia was quietly competitive, and not a sore loser. She could take a hit, and she often did, but of course this was just jesting between two friends rather than something serious. 

She shook her head and smiled lightly, her lips parting, “You don’t have to come up with new recipes, you know that, right? I could never grow tired of the ones you’ve already created, so I definitely don’t mind repeats. Now you just have to teach me how to make them from scratch; that’s the real challenge,” She japed with a pour of light laughter.

“Oh, uhh… water is fine with me,” She said, “Thank you. When’s your shift starting at The Kitchen, by the way? I mean, you haven’t eaten already, have you?”

Being her own worst critic, Molly had always had a hard time taking compliments to heart completely, knowing very well that she could always do better. Even so, she had no trouble seeing that Olivia meant what she was saying, and that at least by her roommate, the food she was making was highly appreciated. “Thanks.” And Molly was glad, really. She did like hearing it, it was just that she had to force herself to stop and actually listen to it as well from time to time. Quickly, another smile brightened up the features of her face along with slight amusement over the challenge that Olivia presented. “Teach you? I’ll accept that challenge. Trust me, some of them aren’t hard at all.” It was really about timing more than anything else.

“Nah, I’ve still got about half an hour before I need to leave. My shift doesn’t start until 5.30 — I’ll probably be late though, because with this festival in town, the restaurant is way more busy than usual.” Letting out a sigh, she leaned back against the counter again, then gestured towards the pan of risotto, urging Olivia to start. “Eat.”

                    “The ferris wheel, yes,” She confirmed and brightened it with an effervescent smile, her eyes lighting up in a way that hopefully made her persuasion work, and her excitement rub off on Molly. 

“No, you’re right— you definitely don’t have a choice, I just figured I would make it less obvious by at least trying to seem like you did,” She replied with a healthy dose of laughter, her arm soon hooped through Molly’s as Sofia steered them towards the line for the big wheel.

“So, how’s my favorite chef? Are you gonna name a burger after me soon, or what? Considering how many I eat at The Kitchen, you really should,” She jested.

Much like expected, Molly didn’t actually have a choice, no. She wasn’t necessarily a big fan of this festival thingy, or at least not the ferris wheel — not that Sofia seemed to allow that to change her mind. When the two of them started moving forward towards the line, Molly let out an exaggerated, displeased groan, yet allowing herself to be swayed. “You’ll owe me one for this, you know that right? I’m gonna be collecting favors.” Thankfully, the subject soon steered in another direction, perhaps to get Molly distracted and less aware of Sofia’s persuasion. “I’m good, a little stressed out at work thanks to this festival, though. And you should really start trying something else on the menu, and maybe I’ll consider name suggestions. You know that burger is probably my least favorite choice.”

Marion let out a dry laugh. “I mean, lack of sleep is the first cause of a bad mood. I’m surprised you didn’t actually go all white old lady on them yet and cut to the front of the line,” she joked, bending her left leg and then the right after being on her feet for a while now. She didn’t have much anywhere to go, so she figured waiting for coffee wouldn’t be so bad. “I mean, you could’ve always made coffee at home. Could save you the trouble.”

A short laughter slipping out between parted lips, Molly shook her head slowly in response. “Yeah, no, just you wait — that might just happen if this ends up taking forever.” Her words were said in jest as well, knowing full well that she would probably leave before doing just that. “Well, that’s actually very true. I just didn’t count on the queue being this long, and now it’ll take me about the same time to head back home.” So basically Molly only had herself to blame for it. “The coffee here is far better than the one you make at home anyways though, right?”

                  Preparing to tell the story, Helena paused when Molly added how she was… if she was alright. Yes, she was. She couldn’t complain because she was back in Lanford, somewhere she felt she could really call home now. Plus she was living in a beautiful house, even if it did belong to her father. It was still home. However, if she could compare this to how she’d been when back in Florida… yes, they were first world problems, but they were still problems. Family had always been important to Helena. It had always been her and her dad. But with her mother back in the picture, that threatened to change, and Helena didn’t want anything to change. Rolling her eyes once more, Helena shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t know, because he’s an idiot?” she answered her. She didn’t mean it, though. Her father certainly wasn’t an idiot, and though she was mad at him, she didn’t hate him. “No,” she looked away. “That, I didn’t mean. That’s the thing, I know he means well.” She hadn’t seen it this way when she’d first come back, but she’d had a week to let it all settle in as she’d reflected on everything. “He just wants me to know her, to give her a chance. He doesn’t want me holding onto all these negative feelings. But I can’t help it.” Helena glanced to Molly for a brief second, but then to her drink as her fingertip circled the rim of the glass. “I can’t forgive as easily as him. She can’t just come waltzing back and expect everything to be peachy keen. The real world doesn’t work like that.” The blonde then grabbed the glass, raising it to her lips to take a sip. “And honestly…” she stopped herself for a minute, not wanting to admit the following but knowing it was true. “I don’t like change.”

As much as Molly tried to ignore it, the current topic certainly steered her thoughts back to her own father. Not only because Helena spoke of hers, but also because of her situation with her mother... Which was kind of alike, in a way. The difference was only that Molly rarely talked about that. That she did her best to just push it aside and pretend like the problem didn’t exist. Not the best way to handle things, sure, but so far it had worked out just fine. As long as it kept her father at an arm’s length, she didn’t care about the rest. “Yeah, I get that. He wants what’s best for you, right?” All the best parents did. “But you don’t have to tell me about how that’s like, not wanting to forgive someone. I guess I’m really the wrong person to ask for advice about something like this.” A somewhat forced smile smeared across her lips and Molly shook her head, not sure what to make of it. If it was up to her, due to her own past, she would tell Helena to forget all about her mother... Which clearly wasn’t any good advice at all. Just because there was no hope for her own father, didn’t mean there was no hope for Helena and her mom. “But for your sake, I hope time will solve your problems. I mean, I’m not sure I’m digging your mom based on what you’ve told me so far, but I’m also a very judgy person.” When Molly then raised her glass to her lips this time, it felt like she finally had a good excuse for drinking. Thoughts of things she didn’t want to have to think of coming back, memories from the past, were always a good excuse. Besides, she was only on her first drink. There was no harm in that.

Just as his question to her confirmed, Taylor was not too sure of his stay in Lanford nor of its permanence. For all he knew, it might not even be worthwhile to replace the furniture in some of the rooms to something more of his liking for he could be living in the city in a month from that time again. There could be another Charmaine down the line in a year or so or nothing in that direction at all. Whichever way it was, Taylor hated the uncertainty of it all; it went against his way of living and shook things around so that he had to second-guess his own movements even more than usual. In all, it was just a hassle that he didn’t want continued. All these were no new thoughts but what had been on repeat for the last three months, resurfacing whenever most inconvenient as it was now when he just tried to enjoy himself with an old friend around but looked slightly miserable instead as his eyes were glued to the windows that showed perfect weather, which should be clouds and thunder all around in these times.

       “ It’s different if I don’t ask for them. I asked for yours. ”, he clarified neutrally, though he hoped that Molly did know this about him already. However polished and perfect he wanted to seem to the public and, in some cases, just normal people, it was not for his friend to feel like she was more part of that big picture than something else.  Despite being quite invested the outcome of an answer of her’s and the meaning of it, Taylor only saw her movings in peripherical vision with his gaze still directed on something and nothing at all outside. He had less thought about what people saw in his family in regards to him rather than the other way around – always assuming people would see him as the bad guy, but now he was not that sure about it anymore. Entering the family business hadn’t been pressured on him rather than fully embraced in spite of always being second in line. The feeling of being pressured, he thought, had ceased to exist the moment the teenager he’d been decided upon a life for himself, more ambitious than his parents had planned for him. The pressure on himself Taylor couldn’t promise anyone anything about. “ God knows I’ll use that break. “ And just with that, his eyes were back on her’s, combined with a reassuring tone in his voice and a gentler smile on his lips rather than anything charming or the underlying sense to sway her. “ But don’t worry about me. I’ve handled my family all my life, nothing suggests that this will be any different. “, he added, resting his right hand on her arm for a moment as if to placate Molly. It was not a promise that he would do as she said – the exact opposite was the case, he’d pressure himself to the breaking point if that was what it took for him to get what he wanted, just as he’s always done, but Taylor lived better with the thought that she believed in that half-lie. 

While Taylor sure seemed to do his best to hide it, there was no doubt that his mind was troubled — just not in the ways Molly had been expecting it to. She would easily have guessed that the break-up would have been what occupied his thoughts, but that wasn’t at all what was going on. Rather, it seemed to be the uncertainty of his current situation. In a way, Molly had no trouble relating to that. That awful feeling of uncertainty. Around the time of her parents’ divorce, it had ultimately been what caused her to drop out of Yale, sending her off in a completely different direction in the end, one that she hoped was right, but even to this day couldn’t say for sure if it was. She loved her profession, no doubt. But growing up, she had also loved studying law. Much thanks to her father of course, but still, that feeling had never completely disappeared.

As a gentler smile took place on his lips, Molly mirrored it, knowing he was right. Didn’t they all need a break sometimes? It was only when his hand landed on her arm that her gaze temporarily moved from his face to the place where she could feel his touch, knowing that it was merely an attempt of comforting her, reassuring her that he was alright, even though she wasn’t sure she believed the words that came out of his mouth. Nevertheless, his touch, even if minor and spontaneous, felt as good as ever. “I never worry about you.” As her eyes finally trailed back to find his, her voice was reassuring as well. “If I’d do that, I’d have to worry a lot. And that was always Charmaine’s job, not mine.” The ex-fiancé’s name came out so easily this time, without even realizing that she had brought the subject up again, with no real intention of bringing that discussion back to life. To salvage the situation, she decided to quickly speak back up, steering the subject elsewhere. “You know, I’d show you around town to give you a proper welcome, but honestly, my knowledge of all the best places can’t compare to any Lanford native yet.” The smile on her lips widening, her words were jesting. For someone who had lived in town for about eight months already, she sure hadn’t spent a lot of time exploring the area. “So, my question, right?” Seeing as Molly wasn’t convinced his previous words had been truthful, she decided on trying to get more out of him. “No matter what you say, I’m sure you already have a plan on what to do next. You wanna fill me in on the details, or will I have to guess?”

Angel had no basis to presume that Molly was good at her job, nor that she cooked cuisine that he would like. But he was confident that a decent chef could cook anything with practice which meant that his odds were favorable–if he could end up on her good side, that is. “And you can’t get fired ‘cause then I can’t come to your restaurant to taste your cooking,” he teased, as if that was more important than her maintaining her own livelihood. When she expressed surprise over his latter comments, Angel grinned from ear to ear. “What?” he chuckled, feigning innocence. “One, I think you shoppin’ in the wrong place then. Two, Why not? I thought we was workin’ on being friends here. Friends don’t keep secrets Molly.” @mollyprior​

"Yeah well, there’s only one problem with that.” There was a certain confidence in the other’s ways, confident that his teasing would work, and that she wouldn’t reject his presence. Sure — so far, Molly hadn’t. But maybe that was just beginner’s luck. “You don’t know which restaurant. Unless you plan on going around town until you find the right one.” Said with sarcasm, she highly doubted that he would do just that. Though, that would surely be dedication if anything. As Angel chuckled, her eyes trailed back to his, a smile of her own spreading across her lips. “One — I’m a chef. I’ve been wearing out aprons for years. Don’t tell me I’m shopping in the wrong places, Angel. Two — You’re working on it. I’m just here for the sweets. And I think you’ll do just fine without me painting you any pictures.” 

“I mean, cheese and carbs are always a solid choice in my books, but I did promise you culinary freedom, so I’ll defer to whatever you choose,” she shrugged. “And while you cook, you can tell me all about the town gossip I’ve been missing. What’s new? Any new developments in your life?” 

"Culinary freedom—” Molly scoffed lightly. “I like it. I’ll trade you up and do some cheese stuffed chicken breasts instead.” Nothing too complicated if you asked her, even though anyone who wasn’t interested in food probably wouldn’t agree. “Gosh, you know my life isn’t that exciting.” Rolling her eyes, a smile was still present on her lips as she did. “Ran into a... well, not really an ex, but I guess I don’t know what else to call it... Anyways, I ran into him a while back, and I guess that’s about exciting as it gets for me.”

          “Hey, do you wanna ride the ferris wheel with me?” Sofia asked after walking up to a person who was standing on their own, looking a bit like they weren’t sure where to start when it came to the fair. 

“Don’t know where my designated not-scared-of-heights-person is at, so here’s your chance,” She japed, features laced with mirth as she turned to look at the other again.

“Come on, it’ll be fun—”

"The ferris wheel?” Looking up at the big, circular wheel that kept transporting pairs of people up, down and around for what felt like ages, Molly’s gaze soon wandered back to Sofia, a vague smile, even if somewhat hesitant, growing on her lips. They hadn’t seen each other in a while now, so the familiar face was surely a welcomed sight. “Definitely not afraid of heights.” Which was always a start, right? Sofia sure looked keen on persuading her into doing this. “Not sure how fun it’ll be though, but you seem to pretty convinced. So, do I even have a choice?”