outta time

Robin warmed her hands on the flames of the pyre, the evening chill in the salt air burrowing deep beneath her skin and into her bones. She cuts Peyton a sidewards glance, noting that he was yet to produce what he would be burning, before relieving her shoulder of the tote bag she had carried and reached inside for the items that weighed the bag down in sentiment more than weight.

Peyton should have guessed anything to do with Robin's father. He should have brought something of his moms though he had nothing other than memories. Memories that were too distant to remember her on Valentines day. "We'll just inhale the bad fumes it emits."

Gillian chewed on her lip as she looked between the cheesecake brownie and some fruity pastry...thing, both admittedly looking great, but... "Is it socially acceptable to have a cheesecake brownie at ten in the morning though? Isn't fruit usually the way to go?"

"I think it's fine." Peyton said but what did he know? It was not like he had the best nutrients growing up. "You could buy it now and have it for later. Maybe find somewhere healthier to eat for now." He suggested. "Just a thought." He said. He was definitely ordering the fruit pastry which is why he was deterring her away from it. @thegillyxliang

Imani had already thrifted half of her clothing, and realized she really no longer had a good purse. She needed one for day-to-day use. For school, for shopping, for everything. Standing and staring at the display she felt absolutely torn. Of course the hot pink one called to her, but she was trying to change her image. "That one?" She asked, gesturing to the bright colored one, with a sad smile. "It's cute... but I gotta get something professional." She reached for the black and tan bag.

Peyton was quick to shake his head as he reached towards the dark brown purse and pulled it out. It was next to the hot pink one so he understood why she thought he pointed at that one. "This one." He suggested, but the one she had in her hand was good too. He was basic. "That one works though.". It wasn't his preference but he worked in a library, so basic was what he needed in a bag which was different than a purse. @xoimani

"Yeah... It just doesn't fit the vibe of the room." She sighed, looking at the crayola colored mat. She curated a lot of the colors of her room to be light and airy, allowing the kids a sense of calm especially on the more restless days. "You think I could maybe bleach it out or something? Tone down the colors? I suppose I could also just roll it up and store it away..." She mused, taking another look at the circular mat.

Peyton didn't know much about decorating rooms. He was sure she'd think his room was a complete mess. "Can you bleach it without ruining it?" He asked because he wasn't sure that was a good idea. "If you can bleach it, you should try it. Otherwise..." He trailed off as he'd hate for her to have to keep it stored. He didn't see it working if she didn't. "You might have to store it." @abcwithmsz

"I guess that makes sense?" she says, glancing at the man, now aware that her song about the groceries for her dinner had caught someone's attention. " But you have a point, the meal is literally called baked ziti, so it makes sense to choose the ziti," she adds as she places the box of penne back on the shelf. Turning to the stranger once again, she asks, "Do you have any recommendations for cheese by a chance or?"

It was too late now. Peyton was in this situation. He should have minded his business but not getting ziti made no sense. He had to say something. "Uh," he wasn't that well versed in cheese, but he did enjoy what he knew, "mozzarella is always a good choice especially with a little bit of parmesan. What cheese were you thinking?" He hadn't heard that part of what she had been singing. @zarinamcri

Ramsey usually knew what she was doing when it came to her shopping but she had to admit she was pretty terrible when it came to food. She didn’t feel like holding up the line and so standing at the driftwood for a second too long was her nightmare. She paused a moment before glancing back at him and gave a small smile. “ yeah? do you think it’s too sweet? “

Peyton wasn't quite too sure why he said anything, but now he was here sucked into a conversation that he didn't want to have. He cleared his throat and shook his head, if there was one thing he hated. "It's the perfect amount of sweet." It was why he suggested it. "I promise." He gave a small smile. "If I'm wrong then you can come back and buy the more sugary ones." @missxrivera

Gracie couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head as she adjusted her skates. “I like the sound of that—falling together sounds way less embarrassing than falling alone.” She flashed him a playful grin, her confidence already starting to build as she stood, her knees a little wobbly but steady enough to keep her balance. “And as for the bet, you’re on. But don’t say I didn’t warn you, I’ve got pretty good balance when I’m not laughing too hard.”

Peyton liked the sound of that too. It did sound better. He couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt though since the two had fallen together once upon a time only to fall out. "I guess I'll have to make you laugh then." He said with a smirk because it was game time.

Lorna didn't know why she'd chosen to talk to him, but she supposed sometimes revisting the past wasn't all too bad. She didn't hold any malice against Peyton, despite the sarcastic tone that she used on him. In fact, a part of her had wished that things had worked out differently. However, there was no point in hoping for the impossible.

Ouch. This was not the Lorna that Peyton knew back in high school. Why would she be? Years had passed and it was obvious that she thought the worst of him which was fair. He hated it, but she was fair to feel however she felt towards him. "It just might." His voice dry before he let out a small laugh.

“ what changed your mind ?” She asked tilting her head slightly out of curiosity. Kali knew that Peyton was pretty set in his ways and she did like that about him. He liked what he liked and it was easy to tell. This didn’t particularly seem like something he’d like but she was glad he was here, he looked rather handsome and it was nice to be able to talk to someone as easily as she talked to Peyton. “ of course. You always look nice “ she noted again with a shy smile. She complimented people often but sometimes when she said things to Peyton it had her cheeks feeling a bit warm.

What did change his mind? He had made up his mind last minute. It could've been a mixture of Rowan saying he should go and well, something in him felt it was right to go out. "A feeling." That was the best way to explain it.

Moving to Aurora Bay over the summer had been a complete whim, mainly just to find her brother and spend more time with him, but now as the months went by, she'd officially found herself loving it here, and thinking of the little town as home--even if it was a far cry from Chicago. She'd lucked out too that her neighbor had practically become one of her best friends. Luce loved Rowan--even when she could be a little....chaotic. Like now. Running off towards whatever vendor had sparkly things. Oh well- the girls at least had location tracking for each other on, so she could find Rowan if need be later.

Peyton's eyes focused on her lips for a moment when she did that. He quickly looked up at her eyes again. She was pretty, just as many of Rowan's friends were.

She’s almost amazed by the frustration she’s stirred in him, as if she’s the one responsible for these issues. Her dark eyes roll at his question; of course she was serious—she had been genuinely hurt by his actions, to the point that she had gone to great lengths to avoid him over the past few weeks.

It didn't matter. She was going to counteract anything he said with this one time that he had left her. There was no winning and they wouldn't get any further than where they were at now. He needed a smoke and his pack was in the coat he hung. He couldn't think of where his lighter was. It could be in the other pocket or it could be in his book bag. He was unsure.