STARGIRL

𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐀 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒

full name: Nora Jones gender & pronouns: cis woman & she/her age & date of birth: 25, May 28, 1997  where do they live: Blue River Ranch  time living in lockwood springs: entire life occupation: ranch hand / hostess at King’s & Queen’s Casino  affiliation: none for herself, keepers from her dad rank: none  positive traits: creative, curious, dramatic, free-spirited,   negative traits: impressionable, insecure, naive, rebellious,  daughter of @ethanjxnes, sister to @spencejones, @tammie--jones, twin to @elijahxjones and niece to @junebeckett & @wyatt-beckett

“What’s up, bug?” he asked grabbing the wrench from her and used it to tighten one of the pipes back in place on the bike he was working on. “Why on earth would you want to be a son? You’re perfect as a niece and way more important.” Wyatt looked over and chuckled, the next tool she handed over he looked at and shook his head. “I need the socket wrench, three quarters.” He made the motion the tool makes with his hand. Pausing, he wiped his hands on his coveralls and turned to his niece. “You’re an amazing assistant. Stick with me and you’ll know everything there is to know about cars in no time.”

•

                                        Taner could understand the quarrel with his existence, let alone it gravitating so close to Nora’s. The only thing he had that resembled family was riddled with crime, and there were never people knocking down doors in an attempt to protect him. He admired their protection of one another and he respected that he was the last person anybody would want to see holding onto their daughter or sister’s hand. “Yeah, two. Because you had fifty already.” he laughed, thumb running along her cheekbone in a soothing stroke. He tried to memorize as much as he could about her, because the threat of it all disappearing always felt close behind them. 

He allowed Nora to let off the steam as his hands fell to her waist and gently held her in place as close to him as possible without merging together into one. “It’s because it’s me, it’s not because of you.” Tan is convinced it to be that way. His impetuousness and impulsiveness and the constant love affair with prison bars, or the way he always found himself with his hand balled into a fist. “They want you to be with someone better than me, and can you blame them?” he shrugged as his eyes moved over her features slowly. “We need some sort of plan in case it all gets…out in the open. Would you…” he paused because the question itself was difficult to utter, a weight to it that he hated had to be there. “Would you leave with me if it came to it? Last resort, I mean. If nobody came around?”

•

Nora knows that Taner isn’t what most would consider a “good” person. But she also knows that people make mistakes. That her father and brother were involved in the very same things. That she didn’t love them any less because of it. She wrinkles her nose before a small smile breaks out across her face at his touch and she feels her chest constrict slightly at the thought of sending him away again. Stolen moments are never enough but they’re better than nothing at all. She’d rather have some of him in her life than none. "It shouldn’t be. I’m able to make my own choices,” Nora insists, hands coming up to cup his face affectionately, “and I choose you.” Because even if logic says she should run away fast, she’s constantly pulled to him like gravity. “No one is the worst thing they’ve done. They know that too.” Because grace is given to different people for different reasons, but she knows that, because of her, they’re less inclined to give Taner a chance. 

His question is one she’s thought about, weighing all her options constantly and she feels her stomach knot at the thought of leaving her family. Just like she feels it knot at the thought of leaving him. “They’ll come around,” she insists instead, because they’d have to. They’d see how much he still means to Nora, and how happy he makes her. “They will. It’s just horrible timing. When things calm down...maybe we can say something.” Nora swallows, finding his hands and knotting their fingers together. They'll understand, she tells herself as she leans up to kiss him, this time with a bit more intention. They have to.

“No super heroes, except Paw Patrol. They like those little dogs.” He never watched much television, except sports and very occasionally the news. “Those two little devils don’t know what easy is, just ask Crick.” Spence laughed. He was lucky to have her around because there was no way he’d be able to remember everything they needed or a schedule. Jett nodded, concern on his face for his sister’s worries. There was a lot of serious stuff going on and while Spence never tried to be too serious if he could help it, he could reign in the jokes when he needed to. “I know it is. It’s hard not to get angry about all of it, too.” Anger was a problem for Spence, more than he wanted to admit and he struggled to figure out how to work on it. It was easier when family was around, maybe that was why he tried to spend so much time with them. “I think Uncle Jason was keeping us safe, he just wasn’t able to keep himself safe at the same time.” The words came out sad and he sighed, looking away from Nora wondering if he was right or if it was senseless. “I don’t want us to get hurt either. I promise I’ll do my best to keep everyone safe, okay?” He cemented his words by pulling her in for a tight hug, picking her up then setting her back down. “I always got your back, kid.”

•

“Oh, is that what they were talking about when they wanted me to be a dog?” Nora asks, realization settling over her nephew’s gibberish from earlier. “Poor Crick,” she says with a laugh, crouching down to clean some toys up, “little did she know that ending up with a Jones meant her kids would be one too.” Of course Joneses came in all shapes and sizes, but one thing that remained true was that trouble seemed to find them wherever they were. Chucking some race cars into a nearby bin, Nora glances up at Spence with a now-solemn expression. “I think it’s okay to be angry about it. He should still be with us.” Their uncle should be alive and well and telling them the same story for the hundredth time around the bonfire. Nora huffs at the hug, but returns it once she’s on two feet. “I know, Jett. I know you do.”

“He is, yeah. Of course, I can ask him if he knows anything yet, but like legally and what not, I’m not sure how much he’ll actually be able to tell me,” Casey offers an apologetic smile, sincerely wishing there was more she could do to help Nora and her family. What she does know is it’s not like how it is on TV. Evidence, clues, or whatever else doesn’t simply fall into one’s lap. Witnesses don’t always come out of the woodworks with damning information, especially in cases like this. It’s a much slower process, which goes without saying. Besides, her best friend wasn’t born yesterday. She’s sure she knows, but still, it is unfortunate. 

Casey’s bright laughter fills the kitchen as the memories from the weekends Nora mentions floods her mind. Truth be told, those were some of her favorite moments in college, when Nora or Tate would come visit her up in Boulder. Having her best friends from home there with the little family she’d created for herself in college always made her heart sing. “Well naturally I had to lay out the red carpet whenever you came, so,” She teases with a big smile. “And that was mild in comparison. Imagine if I was a sorority girl or something,” She says. The thought is incredibly laughable. She wouldn’t have made it pass rush, much less indoctrination into cult like sisterhood. “Oh, music education! It would only take two years, but that’s a lot of time and a lot of money, like almost $60,000,  to get a pretty degree just so I can keep teaching little kids songs. Like if I wanted to go on and teach at a higher level like college or something, then maybe, but I don’t think that’s for me. I love my kiddos,” Casey shrugs, picking off a corner of her banana bread and tossing it into her mouth.  

“Thank you! I did, yeah! I’m so glad you noticed,” She says, and she means it. Small details getting noticed is a love language of hers, not that she’d ever do anything to point them out or that she waits expectantly for people to notice things. It’s just nice when they’re noticed. “Um, just like –” Casey sighs at the thought of the Millie incident, once again thinking of how to best put it. “I don’t really know how to describe it honestly. Tate wasn’t there, or at least I don’t think so. I was going up to the house, and she wouldn’t let me in? Then she came outside, but it was obvious she was trying to keep me from thinking something was wrong even though something was obviously wrong?”

•

Nora nods with a sigh, “of course. I just figure, you know, it’s worth asking...” Who knew...maybe the sheriff would feel some sympathy, though Nora doubts it. “I wouldn’t want him getting in trouble for something like this either. I think we’ll just have to be patient.” said even though she doesn’t mean it. Patience is a virtue that the Jones family isn’t exactly known for. She just hates having to sit by without an answer or way to help. But her frown is replaced by a small smile as she thinks of those college nights. She never got to experience her own but felt incredibly average going to Casey’s...and she loved it. “Well, I appreciated it then and I’m happy for the memories now,” Nora winks before coughing at the thought of Case as a sorority sister. “Literally can’t even picture it. You’d probably would’ve had to do those outfit things like where people talk about what they’re wearing every day.” Somehow she’d ended up on a wrong side of social media algorithms. “And it’s kinda shitty to make people compete for pre-made friendship spots...you would’ve hated it.” And Nora’s sure that she and Tate would’ve ragged on her for it (with love). 

“Oh...shit. that is a lot. Never mind. You could just save that money for, you know, life.” It’s one of the reason Nora didn’t really consider college in the first place. Her dad had enough to worry about and her siblings were just fine without college. she would be too.  Nora takes another bite, giving Casey an expression that said well, duh I noticed. She takes a piece in her hand, pausing at her friend’s recollection of events. “Oh...that’s super weird. Did she say anything that made you think it was bad?” She furrows her brows, considering it all as she pops the piece of bread in her mouth and chewing before speaking. “Did you tell your dad? I know not everything is a problem for him but...he’s friends with Tate’s mom, right? I dunno,” she shrugs, uncertain. “I say trust your gut on these things but I also wasn’t there so it’s impossible for me to say.” 

-

“That was yours?” Tammie laughed into her drink. “Thought it was Jett’s for when he was feelin’ a little fruity.” she added with a snort before her hand plopped on the very top of her sister’s head. “If anyone’s shortcake it’s you, thanks very much. I’ll be the Strawberry.” Tammie teetered, shifting her weight a little as she hopped up onto the stool. She nodded and smiled, vaguely remembering the ballet drama. Mostly the slippers and dress being hung up somewhere and never touched again before it got added into a big ol’ trunk. “Well, if guys keep being like those dipshits I’m sure you’ll be another Jones that Boots has kicked out in no time.” she winked, like it was a right of passage. Maybe it was. Tammie then held up a hand, signalling she had something to say when she was finished sipping her drink. “Okay for starters, who do you think mucks out all the horses or goes to make sure all the Patty’s are fed?” She meant cows, it was just how she coped knowing they’d be carted off one day to become…patties. “Beau’s a good one though, was he fun or did he lecture you about wildfires?” she laughed loudly.

•

“Yeah it was!” she says with mock indignation. “I mean, I can’t say he hasn’t used it,” Nora laughs, taking another swig of her drink before wrinkling her nose at Tammie. “We sound like we’re gonna be on a Disney Channel band.” Their aunt might’ve been a singer but she can’t say the talent runs in the family. Nora can carry a tune if no one’s watching but otherwise that’s it. “You’re right. Maybe we should talk to Dimitri about getting like bouncers or something,” she giggles, “think he’d go for the investment? Or he can just hire us at this point.” No one would suspect the Jones girls having enough muscle to budge some losers but what they lacked in stature and build, they made up for in wit and will, and that counts for more in Nora’s estimation. 

“Okay, that’s rude. Don’t call them Patty’s, Tammie,” she says with mock-seriousness. Even if she’s joking now, Nora had cried whilst eating a cheeseburger and being told by one of her brothers where they came from mid-bite. She’d cried through every bite. “And two uh, he was honestly fine? I think he knows I’d never light anything on fire intentionally. Maybe he only lectures y’all because he knows you and Jett better than that,” she teases good-naturedly. “Nah, he was fine. I made him take selfies – here.” Nora shows her the IG post she’d just put up the day before. 

“I’ll take that. Even if this says otherwise.” Ethan said with a laugh, rubbing his hand over his beard which was now much more salt than pepper. “Not even a music history lesson?” he asked, but it’d been a while since he was a student. “Guess I learned most of my music things just hanging around with your grandpa all the time.” he remembered happily before he laughed trying to keep up with her thoughts. “Okay slow your roll, bug. We gotta backtrack. What kind of experience do you wanna get with this record, huh?” he mellowed out his voice, picking up two records as an example. “Hendrix is gonna make you feel all groovy. Queen will make you feel all…gay, I guess. And Pulp Fiction will make you wanna…do cocaine?” he frowned and put that record back. “So gay or groovy are our options.”

•

Though they’re only joking, Nora doesn’t like talking about her dad getting old. It makes her chest tighten to think of ever losing him. “You, you’re gonna live to be a thousand, Dad.” she laughs, even if she wishes it were true. “I mean, not besides yours,” Nora admits, smiling at the thought of her dad with his dad. “Okay, okay. I’m slowing,” she demonstrates with an exaggerated slow showing of putting a record back, considering her dad’s words. She’d gotten the record player because it seemed fun and she liked the way it sounded scratchy sometimes. Like old timey. “Groovy sounds good. Maybe gay. You sure about no cocaine?” Nora wiggles a brow, nodding at him, “because you’d only know that if you,” she taps a finger to her nose and gives her dad an expectant look. “But I guess groovy works. Dancing would be fun.” Maybe she can convince Taner to the next time she sees him. “Or is it more mellow groovy? Like glass of wine groovy?” 

“I got Instagram.” Beau says defiantly proud of himself. “Just don’t use it much.” Understatement of the century considering his last post sits confidently at the top of the grid of a coffee cup, washed over with one of the app’s sepia filters. Of course he knows, but Beau’s eyebrows shoot up with a dumbfounded movement of his head. “Right, I know. That’s why I asked, obviously. Because I know.” he says sarcastic and shrugging with a cartoonish carelessness. Beau grins back at her though, laughing slightly as he takes the opportunity to gain on her, not quite overtaking but seeing if he can spook her to up the speed in a silent race. “Sounds like introverted extrovert. Or, just being a Jones. You lot are fussy.” he holds a hand up as soon as he says it. “Careful with your choices.” he bows his head in correction of meaning, expecting daggers for his initial choice. Even though he believes fussy is more accurate.

“I agree, I guess. I stick to the same people I’ve known half my life so maybe you’re asking the wrong guy.” Beau laughs. “Pretty sure I’ve known your brother for longer than I wanna admit.” It was definitely from before high school, he thinks. Although he’s not sure if Spence was around to see the curtain bangs in their full glory. Beau gains on her some more, close enough now to annoyingly flick her shoulder. “You said you weren’t gonna post that.” he frowns. “But hey, being saved by a selfie beats dying because of one. You heard about those dumbasses? Trying to get the perfect duck pout on a cliff edge?”

•

“Yeah, I know. I sent you some reels but you never responded. I figured they were too funny for you not to respond so you must not have logged on.”  After all, Nora carefully curates all the tik toks and reels she sends to her family. And she does consider Beaut to be like a brother. “Okay so you admit it’s true?” she asks, brow raised as his strides catch up to her. “Like, you and?” she waggles a brow, wondering if that’s enough to imply Tammie but she also doesn’t want to jump the gun if they’re talking about different things. ”Fus––” Nora’s about to repeat the insult when he corrects himself and she sniffs. “At least you learn from your mistakes, Beau,” the younger Jones laughs, not too offended because it’s true. They were a tough bunch to impress. 

He didn’t want to be a burden to his family, all of them were experiencing their own grief and adding to their worry wasn’t his intentions. He knew he had withdrawn enough to cause concern but he always hoped he could play it off. He heard his twin’s voice at the ladder of the attic, laughing slightly because he should have known better that Nora would always sniff him out. “Guess I picked an obvious hiding space.” he chuckled as moved when he saw the beer so he could help her up the rest of the way. “I was just,” he pointed back at the little alcove that was scattered with old memories. “Organizing.” Elijah said when he looked back at her. A lie but…maybe Nora wouldn’t call him out on it. He took the six pack from her, getting out their own beer each before he sat back down. “I hate that you read my mind.” he mumbled, but he didn’t really.

•

Nora smiles softly at her twin and nods, climbing into the alcove beside him. “Yeah, kinda. Though I guess we don’t come up here as much anymore. Considering, you know,” she gestures at the cramped area, pulling her legs up to her chest to make herself smaller in the slight space. “Organizing? That definitely makes sense,” she knows him better than most, by nature of shared blood and a shared womb. There’s no escaping each others scrutiny, especially when the other is clearly leaving things unsaid. “I hate it when you read mine, too,” Nora admits before shrugging, taking the beer and scooting back so her back is to the wall beside him. “But I guess it’s a good thing? Because if we understand each other then it’s okay if others don’t.” They’d always have each other to balance them out. She takes a swig of her beer and sighs, looking around them at the mess of miscellaneous toys and books and art supplies. “We used to love it up here.” When they’d been younger and height wasn’t an issue, they’d slipped and slided all over the place in old worn socks. “But I guess everyone outgrows spaces.” she observes softly and takes another sip. “Does that sound as depressing as I think it does?”

                                           “Right, yeah. I heard hay allergies can come outta nowhere.” Taner laughed at her, using his thumb to guide away a stray tear that fell. He wasn’t a lot of things, at least nothing impressive, but he could hold his head high that he’d never be the cause for Nora’s tears. Not intentionally. His arms moved back around her and brought her closer to him, cradling her softly.  He laughed at the light teasing, rolling his eyes and letting Nora get the fun in while she could. It was worth it, considering the reason why they were gathered at the bonfire to begin with. “Alright, you got two more free shots, but then that’s it.” Taner chided back softly, stealing a soft kiss from her lips. Everything had to be quick and fleeting now, ghosting by one another as if they were strangers when it was far from the truth. Taner squeezed her when he heard Nora address the elephant in the room, despite it being a well known one. “They just worry.” he sympathized because he knew his temperament just as much as the Jones family did. “I wish I could say they’d come around but…I don’t think they will.” he looked over his shoulder again but smiled as he turned back to Nora, stroking her face gently as his eyes moved between hers. “Think you’ll be able to keep this all a secret for much longer?” He didn’t know if he could.

•

Sometimes Nora wishes people could see this side of Taner – the one she gets to see and love. And then another, uncharacteristically selfish part of her is happy to keep it for herself, especially in moments like these when his arms hold her close and she smiles against his lips. Nora tips her head back and grins back up at him, brows furrowed like she’s considering taking a deal. “Only two?” she teases before sighing softly into the kiss. It’s not fair that they have to steal these moments but she’ll gladly take what she can get right now. Feeling anything other than the sadness that’s made a home in her chest is something to be grateful for.

“Ha, ha, very funny,” he snickered and moved inside to wash his hands. Spence nodded at the description of activities. “Sounds about right. They are big into monsters and dinosaurs right now. But that might change next week. It was all trucks a little bit ago.” The only thing that stayed somewhat consistent was cowboys. That and some shit called Sid the Science Kid. His baby sister’s question had him popping up a brow, looking over at her. “Dad and I ain’t going to let nothing happen to any of you.” Not if they could help it at all. But Spence knew it was something no one could promise. He couldn’t bring himself to say that to Nora, though. “Just, don’t go wandering off alone and keep your phone close. If Dad or I don’t answer call Cricket or Tammie or even Auntie June or Wyatt, someone will get there or get ahold of us.”

•

“As long as they don’t get into super heroes,” Nora cringes a the thought. “It’s much cooler to be King Kong than Ironman.” Ironman’s main superpower was being rich anyway. She doesn’t think that counts. “Though Godzilla may need to take it easy,” she says as she gets a crick out of her back, a satisfactory crack sounding as she twist. His words reassure her a bit, even if she knows that they can’t really stop everything. Maybe she’s jaded by years spent in and out of the hospital, her dad and siblings helplessly at her side. But they never left her, they lent her their strength and gave her all the support anyone could want. She knows that hasn’t changed. That their dad and Spence would do everything they could to keep them safe. She smiles a bit, nodding. “I know. It’s just hard to think positive sometimes,” Nora admits, uncannily honest with her feeling at times. “Like do you think Uncle Jason thought the same thing? That he’d keep us safe?” It’s probably not a fair question but she can’t help but ask it, slouching onto the couch with slumped shoulders. “I just don’t want you guys to get hurt. I’d never be okay again.”

———♡———

                        “You sure it’s not too dry? You can tell me, I’m getting better at constructive criticism. Last week, someone told me the doughnuts I made tasted like pretzels and I didn’t even cry.” June laughed, impressed with herself as she began to clean up the kitchen. “Next time I’m over at the ranch I’ll make some with you, you probably learn better seeing and doing.” she suggested as she came to join her niece at the table. It was true that she preferred to ensure everyone else was okay and sometimes forgot about herself, luckily with Wyatt and a great family, she never forgot for long. “You’re right, I am pretty hungry.” June admitted, fixing up her own plate and coming to join her niece. “How are you doing with everything, sweetie?” she asked, taking a bite. She knew it was a time that was hard for everybody, but she always worried about the younger ones. “It all feels weird, right?”

•

“No, no, really –– it’s perfect. Good crunch and everything,” Nora affirms with a vigorous nod as she takes another bite for emphasis. “Who said that?” She sits up straight, eyes narrowing at anyone insulting her aunt’s cooking. “They probably think that Five Guys is a gourmet burger too,” Nora says with a laugh, “besides doughnut pretzels sound good. What do they think Auntie Anne's is?” Pfft, whoever said that was an idiot. Nora sets her piece of chicken down and takes a sip of her water, nodding at the offer. 

“Maybe that’d be better than trying to watch youtube videos on it. I think I don’t like when the oil pops.” Though Nora’s always game to try something new, she’s a better baker than cook (in her estimation, anyway) but even then, it was nothing to write home about. Just cookies with a decent crunch. “I’m okay, Auntie J,” she says affectionately, shoulders lifting. “It feels weird and like a dream and then not at all like one...I don’t know if that makes sense. It’s like reaching for something and realizing it’s not there?” Nora frowns, “sorry, we don’t have to talk about it...” After all, if Elijah or Spencer died, she doesn’t think she’d want to talk about it with anyone. Even the thought itself makes her chest tight. 

“Well, just that they got the memo Nora was extra sassy today. I musta got taken off the list.” he grins, but he’s used to the attitude and all the different shades each Jones member sports. Instinctively, Beau shakes his head in response, not believing the comparison to Tammie is a negative but Nora’s following words make him halt over his own for a moment. “Meaning?” he lowers his chin, copying her previous tone. He hopes it’s not what he thinks it is, but then again basically every member of the family has had the talk with him now. Apart from the actual person he wishes he could talk to. “Shouldn’t let them, easier said than done I know but what’s the point giving a crap about people you don’t even like?” Beau shrugs softly, watching how Nora tries to take the lead and he lets her…for now. “Not much, no. Half of the reason why I even bothered learning how to climb ladders super fast.” he laughs, falling back a few paces so Nora can feel proud of her first place for the time being. “Think everyone pretends to be saner than they are, at least but hey, I’m glad you thought coming with me would be good. Unless you’re planning to hide my body somewhere here then, I’m not so glad.”

•

Nora makes a face at Beau. “The announcement goes out over IG stories these days. No one does listservs anymore, Beau. What are you? Like a hundred?” She says it with a grin, though and shrugs, hands trailing over some low-hanging branches as they continue on. “Meaning....you know,” she casts a glance over her shoulder, waggling her brows, “like, you know, right?” She can’t help her grin as she says it, unable to help a slight bit of teasing as she tries to gauge whether or not she’s onto something. “I dunno. I guess it’s not called social anxiety because you’re chill and relaxed all the time around strangers, right?” Nora feels most comfortable and confident when she’s with people who know her. There are those who can jump into any social setting and make friends but Nora has always preferred her small circle. 

“I mean, I guess it’s like...you just know the people who love you will love you anyway. But strangers can be mean and dickheads. Don’t you agree?” And it took more energy to deal with them. She’d rather just exist in silence with someone who won’t think she’s mad or judge her for not wanting to be social but still wanting company, as contradictory as those two things seems. “Hmm,” she says, tucking a random leaf behind her ear as they start on another rocky second, “It would be too much to explain if you suddenly went missing. I already posted our pre-hike pic too.” She’d forced him to take at selfie a the beginning of the trail. “So i guess you’re safe for now.”