Averything okay?

“Alright, I know – I didn’t go really creative with my nineties outfit. But to be fair, I religiously watched Rocko’s Modern Life and I thought that it could end up being a good conversation starter somehow. And by you standing here–,” he pointed at himself and then the other he was having the conversation with, “I’d say my theory was proven to be right,” he grinned confidently. “So tell me how ultimately came to your outfit decision,” he asked as his eyes looked at the others outfit choice. 

Dana didn’t mind going stag to the party. Apparently anyone who’s anyone would be there. They were excited to just hang out, drink, eat and dance with the rest of them.

Dana wore a simple black nike top and red plaid pants with a chain off of them and their doc martens boots. It was an outfit that they had worn before in full but they realized that they dress like they’re always in the 90’s anyway.

“Can I get you a drink?”

Dana asked the newcomer as they stood by the spread. Dana couldn’t help but to play bartender while they’re at the decades dance.

Avery was uneasy about her decision about joining the party, they were usually her thing but not when the whole town was involved. It was easier to not engage in non meaningful conversations that way, it seemed like everyone always wanted to tell her their life story at these sort of parties. 

Picking out her outfit took way longer than it should have. Eventually deciding on just something casual, hoping she wouldn’t stand out. Her closet was full of random pieces from several decades that at this point she didn’t know what classified as the nineties versus now. 

“not to be that person but you’re looking pretty tough right now. i’m not sure if you looked in the mirror before leaving your house but…” ezra trailed taking a deep breath as he looked up at the other person, “you should really consider a spa day or something, it’ll help with all of that.” he gestured towards the person.

When she started rambling, including far too many words about how they could sit in silence, Hank felt some regret towards his choice. Reaching for his water, almost picking it up before remembering it was empty, he nodded along. “All the Light We Cannot See,” he answered, flashing the cover of the book. “I was trying for a change of pace. Something historical but it’s hard to do, surprisingly, without reading only stories of Jewish people hiding in various places and when one’s great grandma did that to survive it’s something one wants to read for fun.”

The book was still about World War II but best Hank could tell it was a different side of the war. Still, he wasn’t in love with the book and that’s why he was reading it over lunch rather than devouring it before bed or something.

“That’s where I’d be,” he said with an uncomfortable laugh. Looking to the back the restaurant, trying to find anyone, he looked back. “At this point I think ordering a pizza would go get you food faster and would be hilarious.”

Avery listened to him and nodded almost surprised he was acgtually engaging in conversation, most people just smiled awkwardly at her until she stopped talking  “I’ve heard of it but I haven’t had the time to actually read it. Is it good so far? I know what you mean though, it’s interesting how many takes there are on the subject and so many different ways each story takes place. I could never even imagine.” She took a moment to think of all the documentaries she watched, “although war history is probably one of my favorite things to learn more about, I found these podcasts from Stuff You Missed in History Class that I am pretty much obsessed with as of late.” 

Her gaze went to the diner, she happened to see at least one waitress running around but not having enough courage to try to get her attention. Giving his idea a laugh, the idea sounded almost plausible. “Dollar,” she said before realizing someone who wasn’t an expert in Avery logic probably wouldn’t understand. “Otherwise means like a joking bet, like when you’re a kid and someone offers you a dollar to stick your tongue to a frozen pole.” she smiled at him shaking her head at herself, “it was something my friends and I used to say to one another about almost everything, but explaining it seems like we were just weird.” 

With a cup of coffee in front of him, Ronan was so wrapped up in the book he was reading that he almost didn’t hear someone speaking to him. He didn’t have to show up at the library till the afternoon, so he wanted to take advantage of checking out the local diner for breakfast. He didn’t even realize how crowded the diner was this morning till he finally glanced up and blinked at the person who had started to sort of ramble. “Oh, uhm. Hi,” he greeted as his brain was catching up. “No, no. Of course, take a seat! It’s alright. I haven’t even ordered yet.”  

Not wanting to impose on anyone or look like a charity case, she was still unsure if she had made the right decision to bother him. Brushing off any doubt with the excuse of I had just startled him, he’s probably still waking up much like myself. She sat and let out a deep sigh, happy to be off her feet and away from the crowded entrance. “You sure?” she asked him double checking before making herself comfortable. “What do you usually get? I feel like I live off of their pancakes here,” she informed him with a sweet smile “sometimes I feel adventurous and get a waffle.”

Hank had been enjoying his quiet lunch alone. It was how he liked things most of the time but he was an only child, used to playing by himself. Something that carried into adulthood. With the table meticulously rearranged, he’d been eating french fries as he read a book when the other sat down. First he barely looked over the top of the book but eventually set it down.

“Not sure what the fuss is today, rarely does it look like this in here, but…no. No one is occupying that seat and I have no protests to you doing so. Though good luck with the waitress, I’ve been trying for more water for ten minutes now.”

“You’re a doll!” Avery exclaimed taking a seat putting her bag down, “truly a life saver. I usually eat alone but I’m feeling extra chatty today - also it’s really busy but of course if you want to sit here in complete silence I will hush up and let you get back to your book.” Her eyes went to his book sitting on the table, it made her remember a time when she had more time to just enjoy literature. The only things she read anymore were scripts, comments, and what people posted online about her. “Whatcha reading?” she asked in a sing song voice. 

Looking around the annoyingly busy diner she couldn’t even see a waitress around, “hm maybe they’re all hiding in the back hoping people will leave.” She laughed at the thought of the entire staff hiding in the back of the kitchen.

Taken by surprise by the request to join her booth, Ember broke into a bright smile and motioned to the empty seat across from her with a nod of her head. “Please do. I’m real bad at meetin’ new people, so havin’ ya’ll come’ta me is a right good s’prise.” Voice thick and heavy with the deepest of southern accents, her grin was as warm as the Alabama summers she missed so much. “I’m September, but most folks call me Ember, what is it you got rehersals for? I can strum a mean guitar but that’s ‘bout it.” 

Hearing her friendly voice Avery happily sat down, “oh thank goodness. You have a kind face but I’ve been wrong judging off of that.” Avery placed her bag by her feet, it was mostly full of junk food something she wasn’t quite in the mood for. “Not that you’re not friendly I just mean looks can be deceiving ya know? I like your accent by the way it’s charming.” Typically Avery’s northern English accent was strong but every so often she would use her American accent to try to better it certain words she said came out strange but no one had questioned her so far. “I’m Avery, aka the most annoying one in the town - totally kidding of course,” she let out a quick laugh “you’re two steps ahead of me with that. I couldn’t play an instrument to save my own life. It’s a rehearsal for a show, more so a casting call. We originally had everything full and all roles filled but someone dropped it because of contracts and scheduling issues. So we’re kind of back to square one.”

Shayna looked up startled as someone suddenly sat across from her, and as she began talking her heart leapt in to her throat. Was this person a fan? If so, she could be in trouble. She didn’t say anything however and let the other talk,sighing in relief to find out she only wanted a place to sit “sure of course that’s fine”. She told her before asking “what are you in rehearsals for”

Locasta was just sitting and enjoying her food when the other approached her. Shaking her head almost instantly, she pushed out the chair with the help of her foot. “There is no need for you to explain, just sit down. It’s never fun to eat while standing up” she said and sighed, leaning back in her chair as she placed her hands over her now full stomach.

The movement of Locasta took her off guard, and nodded in admiration..“If I tried to do that, the table and chair would be on the floor,” she joked as she took a seat. “Thank goodness you said yes otherwise you’d probably find me being the counter eating my toast,” still laughing at her own pitiful jokes, “come here often? That sounds like such a cheesy pickup line oh my, I promise I’m not coming onto you. I just feel like this place is never this busy.”

Lea had a hard day at the office. She felt like her world is falling down literally but she was just so happy the day is over. She sat in one of the booth who were next to the toilet cause the diner was full and she had no other choice. She ordered her food and as she waited she checked her feed on instagram. “Hey there, —- umm sit down it’s fine. Are you up for me complaining about work cause I had a really bad day.” Lea said as she shrugged. “Just kidding, company is always fun. I’m lea by the way. “ Lea said with a small smile.

jay had been sitting in the booth at sunny side up for a little while now, mostly sipping coffee and attempting to od some writing. their meal had been long since finished, but a piece of pie sat nearby, a couple of bites missing from the plate. upon hearing someone speak to them, they glance up, brows furrowing together for a moment before they respond. “uh, sure. go ahead.” they say, moving their things to make room for her. 

Watching him move things over brought a smile to her face, ‘there are still nice people cool’ she thought to herself. She sat and made herself comfortable, “you’re an angel truly. It would have taken me forever to get a seat here.” Bringing her gaze she looked at a booth in the corner on the other end of the diner, “that’s usually where I sit but it looks like they had just seated so I wasn’t sure if I could risk it.” Part of her was joking, the other part was serious. She check the time on her phone, “I have like half an hour before I need to be in rehearsal.” The waitress came by and Avery ordered a hot coffee, black. “Anywho, hi I hope I’m not interrupting you or bothering you or whatever. I’m Avery, I like to talk and that’s kind of the only interesting thing about me.”

The Internet in her new house wasn’t going to be set up for a few more days and Ahlai was still working to transfer everything from their old home in Australia to her new home here, and she was currently set up at the diner, trying to find a doctor who would give her a good referral for her next knee surgery.  It wasn’t particularly interesting work, but it had to be done and since her boys were playing with some kids in their neighborhood, she was determined to get it done. She was totally absorbed in the research she was doing on her phone, but looked up when the other woman spoke to her, “Oh yeah, take a seat, it’s just me here anyway, I didn’t expect this place to be so busy today.  I’m Ahlai, it’s nice to meet you.”

Sighing in relief Avery put her bag down in the spot next to her, “oh thank goodness. I wouldn’t want to interrupt, you looked a little busy so I wasn’t sure. I’m Avery, or Ave works just fine too. Not many people call me that anymore but they did when I was younger. Nonetheless it is lovely to meet you.” Nodding her head almost like she was agreeing with herself, “this place has really amazing fruit pancakes, granted I’ve only ever had the strawberry ones and banana ones once they were still pretty good. I don’t recommend the omelette though, last time it was runny.” Taking a few seconds of silence she looked at the girl and then the phone in front of her. “Sorry I hope you didn’t want a quiet breakfast, I’m a talker but also wouldn’t take offense if you were like ‘goodness Avery just shut up already’.”

Crownsville was a small town and, for the most part, the business of the shops reflected that. But every now and again there was a day like that one where things were absolutely bonkers. Kelsey was just glad that she had gotten there early and had the foresight to bring her sketchbook with her to keep her occupied while she waited for her food. Being hard of hearing, the blonde didn’t hear someone approach her until her service dog, Gamora, pawed at her leg to alert her to noise. Kelsey glanced up with an apologetic smile and focused on reading the ginger’s lips. “Hi! So sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude,” she signed with her hands as well as speaking aloud. “I know, right? I’ve never seen this place so crowded before. By all means! I’m not waiting for anyone. I love company too. I’m Kelsey, and this is my service dog Gamora.”

Hearing a friendly voice made Avery feel a lot less anxious. It took her a second to realize she wasn’t just speaking with her hands and actually signing. Avery didn’t know too many words and phrases but she knew some of the basics. “No, you weren’t rude at all. I snuck up on you,” she said signing a few thing before knowing she was probably just being more confusing. “Sorry, I am no good at it. I can read some of it, not do it. I tried to learn in high school but our teacher just kind of never showed up,” letting out a nervous laugh, “I’m Avery by the way, it’s nice to meet you both. I’m sorry if I’m disturbing anything, I sometimes interrupt at the worst times.” 

“Mhmm.” She said, nodding before stopped and widening her eyes. “Oh my god, my brain is going to fly out of my head.” She spoke, given that when she had nodded moments ago, she felt a headache growing. Taking one hand off her hips, she placed it back on the pole leaning on it. “I’m fine.” She scoffed. “I just need meat. Like a 25 pound steak.” However, it was quite obvious that she was playing it off. She wasn’t feeling okay at all.

Avery frowned feeling sorry for the girl in front of her, to Avery it looked like the she was 2 seconds away from being on her death bed. “Well unfortunately I didn’t bring my hunting gear for the steak part, however I do have a protein bar in my bag,” she reached into her oversized purse feeling around for what felt like a wrapper, “I think it’s strawberry flavored I’m not really into those chocolatey ones.” A smile creeped to her face when she found it, “here ya go” holding it out to her keeping her soft smile on her face. “We wouldn’t want you to pass out before finding that steak right?” Holding out her reusable water bottle that was clutched in her other hand, “protein is always so gritty to me I can’t not chug water after.”