Running In Circles

Parker has never been afraid of Tonopah or the gangs that ran the streets. She’d grown up surrounded by them. Had, at one point, been ready to pledge her life to the Sons. Jackson’s death had ripped her apart at the seams and she’d been unable to find it in herself to continue down that path without him, the pain of it too much to handle. There was no part of her that had ever been afraid the violence or possibility of death… the problem was for as long as she could remember, there had hardly ever been incidents like the last two town events. She’d never known either gang to declare war so publicly. And in the case of the Bike Festival, with such a high chance of civilian casualties. Also the fact that she knew the Sons hadn’t had anything to do with Enrique dying, and all the evidence that seemed to point the LB having setting off the bomb, ending up going nowhere… something else was going on and Parker didn’t couldn’t figure out the end goal. Only that things kept getting worse. That was what had her on edge, that each event has escalated in some way and now so many residents were gathered in one place, devastation could reign down at any moment. Parker was also not ready for the next body to enter her lab to be someone she knew, someone she considered family. “It’s not…I don’t know if it’s fear exactly.” She tilted her head, it wasn’t fear for herself at least, “I don’t want another person I know laying in my lab.”

His chocolate eyes stayed upon his friend as she sat and mulled over his words, he assumed. Not that he thought he was philosophical in any sense of the word, but people often thought about what he had to say. Which was good, considering it was his job to give advice when asked. His tongue ran idly along his bottom as Parker spoke before he frowned a bit more. She had a point... He couldn't imagine what it would be like to seeing your friends wind up in a place like that. Alex wouldn't even know what he would do, frankly.

When he’d told Aria on New Year’s Eve that his resolution was to be a better man, Cole had meant it. Truth be told, he wasn’t sure where to begin in accomplishing that, but the short and long of it was that he was floundering on the path he was currently on. That alone warranted some sort of change– a shift in his behavior. Hardly anything he was doing made him feel better and so that was why he’d finally decided that talking to someone outside of his usual circle might benefit him. A fresh perspective could challenge him to look at his situation in a brand new light, if he only opened himself up to it. And so there he was, in the waiting room, anxiously awaiting a chance to pick Alex’s brain, although he had no real clue where to even start.

He could tell Cole wasn't necessarily comfortable being there... He never had been, but that was understandable. It was hard being vulnerable and coming to a therapist often meant you had to do that. It was just a huge step for Cole to actually set up an appointment and actually show up. When Alex brought it up to him at New Years, he didn't actually expect him to do anything with it. But Alex was happy about it. He followed the male into his office and he smiled, "I'm well!" The therapist exclaimed, "Glad to see you! Truly. Go ahead and take a seat. Make yourself comfortable. I can take your jacket and hang it up if you'd like." He smiled.

The stutter she had been familiar with when they were younger slipped back into his speech and Penelope found her smile growing ever so slightly. It had been something he was never quite happy with, but she had always found it endearing because in a way it was like him wearing his emotions on his sleeve. "I have all the time in the world for you," she assured him, grateful that he wasn't upset with her for surprising him and wanting to kick her out. She wasn't sure she would have been able to handle it had he done so, but she would have understood it, known his anger would've been justified with the way she'd left with absolutely no warning. "It might be better to talk here first, and then... I guess depending on how the conversation goes, we can go out?"

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Okay." Alex said, trying his best to keep his stammer under control, "Come on in." He offered her first entrance into his office and he closed the door behind her. His hands rubbed together a bit nervously for a few moments before he walked over towards his small refrigerator and grabbed out a few bottles of water, then followed her over towards the couch. What did she have to tell him that would be so bad that he wouldn't want to go out with her afterwards? It had been so long... Alex just wanted to catch up.

From their brief interaction on New Year's Eve, Alex seemed like a genuine person, but it was difficult for Mikayla not to feel suspicious of his good-natured persona. In her experience, someone could be the most pleasant person until they got what they wanted out of you and then they'd change their tune. If they got to know each other, would that happen? Was this his true self or was there another version of the man underneath?

He nodded and smiled, "Y-Yes, sure. Let's go." Wherever Mikayla wanted to go, Alex was happy with. He wasn't that picky of an eater, and he could really find something anywhere he went, anyway. Holding onto the strap of his bag as he walked, Alexander began to lead the way down the street towards the chosen cafe. He wasn't quite sure what to talk about with her but that never stopped Alex in the past with anything, "Where do you work?" He asked. He had been almost everywhere in town. He was sure he had swung by her place several times.

WHO: @runningincirclesx LOCATION: Outside of Cozy Corner Diner

When Alex had the time, he loved to go out to eat for lunch instead of staying cooped up inside his office. Today was one of those lucky days. However, he had a client in an hour or so and he knew that he should head back so that he could prepare a bit for their session. Alex had asked them to prepare some goals that they wanted to accomplish by speaking with him and those were always interesting sessions to do. He never really knew what to expect.

Penny's heart skipped a beat the moment her eyes landed on Alex. He looked different now -- finally able to grow a full beard that hid his smile lines she'd loved so much -- and it only highlighted the stretch of time between when they had last seen each other. They had been children compared to now, but the butterflies awoke from their hibernation all the same.

He truly couldn't believe that Penelope was standing before him. It had been so fucking long...but that hole in his heart had never really recovered, as sad as that was to say. They had met when they were so young but that didn't mean anything to him. He truly believed in his heart of hearts that Penelope was who he was supposed to be with all his life. Not that he would ever say that out loud. Not now, at least. That would just have her running again, now wouldn't it?

WHO: @runningincirclesx LOCATION: In Session Counseling

It had been a busy day at the office. He tended to over book himself because the last thing he wanted was to turn someone away who needed him. Alex would wear himself so thin and then he would exhaust himself. It was just how it worked. But it was worth it because he was helping people. That was all Alex ever wanted. He wanted people to know that they had someone there for them, even if it was just their therapist.

“Sweet is definitely the word I’d use. Nothing wrong with corny though, as long as you’re happy who cares if someone thinks it’s corny?” And maybe it was just because Parker had long stop caring what others thought of her. She was confident in who she was… even if she still struggled with the sexual confidence thing, the point being she’d been the freaky girl with the fascination with death and bones. Letting go of other people’s perspective of her was an imperative to surviving high school. She smiled as Alex offered her a seat. A smile that became slightly strained at his question. It wasn’t so much that the question itself bothered her, or even that Alex asked it. It was that sometimes she felt like she took advantage of her friend’s job, without meaning to. He was always a good sounding board but she also felt like she cheated him sometimes because she was out here getting free therapy sessions… or at least it felt that way sometimes. “It’s nothing to serious just… the last two town events have ended in someone dying.” Multiple someone’s dying last time. People she’d known for ages, who had been in her life since she was a child. People who were brother in arms with her father. “The night has been going so well so far it just feels like we’re on a knife’s edge.”

Alex never minded talking and listening to someone. Sure, it was his job to do so but that didn't mean anything. Therapist Alex and Friend Alex were two different people. Though, sometimes, yes, they did mix and mingle. But Parker was his friend. He wanted to make sure she was okay and he from her words, she wasn't. What kind of a friend would he be if just let her suffer in her own mind? The answer was simple: he wouldn't be one. Pulling the masquerade mask off, he set it down softly onto the table and leaned back into his seat, listening as she spoke.

Alex never minded talking and listening to someone. Sure, it was his job to do so but that didn't mean anything. Therapist Alex and Friend Alex were two different people. Though, sometimes, yes, they did mix and mingle. But Parker was his friend. He wanted to make sure she was okay and he from her words, she wasn't. What kind of a friend would he be if just let her suffer in her own mind? The answer was simple: he wouldn't be one. Pulling the masquerade mask off, he set it down softly onto the table and leaned back into his seat, listening as she spoke.

"If I'm being candid, it's very rare that they're in the same place at the same time, let alone the same room." Cassie guessed during events like these is when Matias and Cole were in the vicinity of each other. But really, she knew nothing of what they were like before moving back to town. Cassie guessed the two men avoided each other like the plague. Now, with their mutual connection being her, it was possible their paths would be crossing more often than they both wanted. The night in front of the Griffith was a prime example of what she didn't want to happen again. "Talking isn't really an option for them. At least not now, anyway." Cassie let out a sigh as she took a seat next to Alex. "I'm not ignorant of their history. I don't know much about it, but what I do know is they've both kind of been taught to not like the other." In a sense. "And the things that have been happening in town aren't helping. I don't know." Cassie shrugged. "I guess I'm just afraid I'll be forced to pick sides eventually." Cassie knew neither Cole nor Matias would put that decision on her. No, her fear was feeling the tension too often or overthinking herself into thinking that was her only decision.

He nodded softly, "That is a benefit." Alex mentioned. The less those mortal enemies were in the same room together, the better, he felt. However, he was sure that was it was hard on Cassie, especially if they were as close to her as she was saying. Having to keep two important people in your life separate was difficult and it weighed heavily upon the middleman's shoulders. Alex hoped she realized that. But it wasn't much of his place to say. As she continued, the man listened and nodded, allowing her to speak before he chimed back in, "I didn't necessarily mean have them speak to each other." Alex mentioned, "More...have you spoke to them about this situation?"

"'ppreciate it." And she truly did. Any time someone could cut in and play Devil's Advocate or spare a word of advice was something Cassie needed more than she liked to admit. Being almost forty, she believed having all the answers at this point in life would've been her saving grace; that wasn't the case, not by a long shot. Taking the offered Coke, the woman took a quick sip. "What advice would you give someone who had two people in their lives that they cared deeply for - but those two people were ..." Cassie paused to find the right word. "Close to being mortal enemies?"

Taking a sip of his drink, his brown eyes fell upon the woman as she spoke. Slowly, he lowered the drink and pulled himself onto the stool, sitting down. His leg folded over the other, idly licking his lips. He wasn't sure what he was expecting the question to be, but it wasn't that. The therapist took a breath, and he shook his head a bit, "Well, I think the first thing I would ask them is if it's necessary for those two close to being mortal enemies to be in the same room as one another." He said, his brow raising, "Then I would ask if that person has talked about the situation with either of them."

Nodding, Cole offered up a warm smile. It wasn’t all that often that good things happened to good people, and so he was happy to learn that something good seemed to be unfolding for Alex. Sure, Cole barely knew him– something that was Cole’s own fault– but the biker knew enough to know that Alex Morales was a good man. He wouldn’t have been so patient with Cole if he wasn’t. “I might’ve gone,” he chuckled, even though deep down Cole knew it would have been a cold day in hell before he showed his face at a Tonopah High prom, “I spent my prom gettin’ shitfaced out at Stargaze,” he divulged with another laugh, shrugging his shoulders. 

Alex had trained his face to remain neutral as he spoke to people. It was part of his job and he just used it in real life too. When Cole actually spoke and revealed that the last few months had been weird, Alex was shocked. That was more than the man had said their entire therapy sessions. Maybe, just maybe, the man was interested in talking to him. Not just as a client, but as a friend. That was pretty exciting, Alex had to admit, "Yeah?" He asked softly, "Weird can be difficult navigate." The man said with a nod, adjusting his glasses, "Good weird?" He asked, raising his brow.

Alex had trained his face to remain neutral as he spoke to people. It was part of his job and he just used it in real life too. When Cole actually spoke and revealed that the last few months had been weird, Alex was shocked. That was more than the man had said their entire therapy sessions. Maybe, just maybe, the man was interested in talking to him. Not just as a client, but as a friend. That was pretty exciting, Alex had to admit, "Yeah?" He asked softly, "Weird can be difficult navigate." The man said with a nod, adjusting his glasses, "Good weird?" He asked, raising his brow.