sparks fly.

" hi hi im sorry ! im sorry ! " she didn't know how long charlotte was waiting. she had a long last couple of days. pulling all nighters basically. because of the lack of sleep , she didn't realize she hadn't charged her phone the night before. she was grateful that her body had decided to wake up a little bit past the time she was meant to meet charlotte. " my phone — " she pulled it out of her pocket to show the other the black screen. sydney even pressed the buttons on the side to show her that it was completely dead. " i forgot to charge it. i tried to get here as fast as i could. potentially violating the speeding limits." she wasn't too disheveled. she put on the cleanest jeans she could find, a tshirt, and a jean jacket to make the look seem like she put effort. " i promise it was an accident. im usually more punctual than this." she took a seat in front of charlotte. " this uh da —" she paused. this wasn't really a date , was it ? " lunch is on me. any pastry or sandwich you want. on me."

sydney's offer to pay, had charlotte shaking her head, "you really don't have to do that but is extremely kind of you. i have to admit i haven't eaten here all that much, is there something you'd recommend?"

miriam's expression softened at that, and she couldn't help but smile softly. "well, for what's worth, i kind of like meeting you like this," she said gently. "no expectations, no assumptions—just some really good baking and decent company, of course." she let out a quiet laugh at the question. "no kids. i just grew up here, figured i'd stop by on my day off and show some support for the community." she wasn't against the idea of children—miriam had just never found the right person to share it with and had come to accept she probably never would at this stage in her life. her eyes flicked up at charlie. "and i have to admit i think i definitely made the right decision today."

it caught charlie's interest that the woman, whom seemed to be of similar age also grew up in town. had she missed miriam whilst growing up? maybe she had gone to a different school. charlie racked her brain, considered bringing up the other to her sister once she got home and went on a social media stalk. "did you go to school here? i feel like we're a similar age, i'm trying to rack my brain on if we've crossed paths before." miriam definitely was intriguing to her and the more the conversation progressed, the more she wanted to learn a little more. charlotte glanced over towards the a mobile coffee cart nearby, "i think you did too — did you want to grab a coffee? i could probably use a quick break."

" well , i still think that ms betty crocker has some serious competition — if not café solis." the place owned by the town's very own carmen delgado. " i am definitely asking you out to lunch. just lunch." she didn't want to bite off more than she could chew , that and she didn't want charlotte to notice that she had been laying it on thick even if she was. besides , they were both still strangers to one another. who knew where things were going to end up between them as if there was a them. " you don't hand out your number , and i don't immediately go out on dates or hit on those who i helped on calls. " there was a teasing tone in her voice as she chuckled softly. " noon sounds great. i don't have to be at my shift till later on that night. i hate the grave yard shifts but im pulling doubles while a co-worker of mine is out. maybe at solis ?"

"just lunch," charlotte nodded with a warm smile at the woman's statement. the last thing she wanted to do was put any pressure on something that could turn out to be just nothing but she couldn't help but feel that things between them had been a just that little flirtier than the other interactions she'd had around town. "and here i was thinking i was an exception," joked playfully, offering the woman another bashful grin. "you don't need to sleep? are you sure that time works for you? i don't want to put you at a disadvantage for your job. solis sounds perfect though."

even though it was ashton that tembi had met first, it was their twin, daxton, that had grabbed her attention and interest the longer they spent at camp, mainly for the fact that ashton was far too preoccupied with trying to charm the older camp counsellors, but also because there was just something intriguing about daxton that drew tembi in and made her want to continue to spend time with them. "then they stole whatever it is that you love the most," shoulders lifting in a shrug. finally tearing her gaze away, her eyes trailed into the direction of the other people as dax spoke, a soft laugh slipping into the open as she looked back to them in amusement. "and i'd still do it to this day, because let me tell you, some of them are even more childish than they were back then, and it's crazy to think how that's even possible," she made note before falling silent for a beat. "nah, come on..." was then let out as she reached out and playfully smacked their leg. "there's gotta be something we can do to turn that frown upside down."

even though daxton hated almost every minute of being at the camp and seeing once again, ashton take the spotlight, tembi had made dax's time memorable and somewhat enjoyable given the circumstances. "they all seem still very much self obsessed, i'd believe it. what i can't believe is i only got into only two fights with those asshat guys over the two weeks," daxton mused, inhaling the cigarette once more. their record hadn't always been the cleanest and put down not being sent home due to the fact their sibling was the star of the camp. blue eyes fell to spot their leg was playfully hit and lingered for a moment before they finally spoke, "you remember that open track field we use to sneak out to? look at the stars and shit? i think it'd be pretty neat to go back there, get outta here?"

miriam's smile softened at that as she brushed some crumbs from her fingers. "charlie," she repeated, letting out a quiet hum. "i'm miriam—and i'll pretend i didn't just get warned i could've googled you first." she chuckled, head tilting slightly. miriam was always a bit behind because of how busy her workdays were that she didn't have time to do much else besides eat and shower when she got home. "i have to say, though. i think i like this version better... getting the introduction straight from you." she glanced down at the tray again before her eyes met charlie's, her next words coming oiut in a low tease. "and for the record, don't quit your day job just yet—but if the whole fame thing does fall through, you've got yourself a pretty solid backup plan here."

"i'll be honest, it's not something i usually bring up to people i've just met, i'm not too sure why i even mentioned it. i guess i'm just not all that use to people not knowing who i am or think they know me." charlie tried not to ramble as best she could but the woman's chuckle relaxed her slightly. miriam's words caused a dimpled smile to grow on her features, "i'm kind of hoping it doesn't for the sake of my career but i'll keep that front of mind. it's safe to say i'll stick to the bake sales for a while. what brings you here? you have little one that attends or you're just here to support the community? which by the way, is very respectable."

"i'm not... disappointed. i just —" a brief pause as chelsea exhales a fidgeting laugh, glancing around the dimly room before her gaze shyly catches the others. "i wasn't expecting it to be you. i guess that's the point to a blind date though, huh?" another beat, she forces herself to take a sip of her wine she pre-ordered while waiting anxiously for her first date in fifteen years. "how do you feel?"

ashton shook their head, chelsea didn't need to explain anything to them but they sat opposite her offering a warm smile, "you didn't expect it to be your kid's basketball coach, i get it." they were glad she didn't feel disappointment because they were locked in on her. they had been secretly for a while but this gave them the perfect excuse to get to know her better, have a conversation that lasted more than five minutes that wasn't revolving around her kids. chelsea's question made ashton nervous, wondering if they should sugarcoat their answer or just dive in. "honestly? i feel like i just hit the jackpot. seeing you here, looking as beautiful as you do, i'm in awe." they weren't sure just how much they should admit to her but they had to try, "i've kind of had my eye on you for a while, i just didn't think it was appropriate to ask you out after a practice while your kids were present but this also works."

"you ask a good question - marine biologist is what i told them, at least from what i can remember. i wouldn't be surprised if little me said i wanted to be a whale." the flirty comment made catherine chuckle softly. the conversation they were sharing felt so light-hearted, she loved it. this was the distraction she needed after her terrible evening. "you must be busy most of the time. i don't know if i'd be able to survive without a lot of free time." as they pulled her into the elevator with them, a small grin curved onto her lips. "i'm a writer - author if you will. yeah instead of being obsessed with whales i started becoming fascinated with the entire world and the emotions it holds. so watch out, if i create a character that seems almost identical to you...i apologize in advanced but also take it as a compliment." catherine shrugged her shoulders, "you seem interesting." god she felt like an idiot saying that, that was the best she had? she tried saving herself, probably obvious there was a small panic in her words. "fun, you seem fun to be around." thankfully the elevator stopped on their floor before she gestured for them to go first.

"that's why i'm a scientist," ashton remarked with a cheeky smirk, accompanied by a quick wink. "little you just thought outside the box, that's all." with the attention brought back to them, ashton shrugged, "it depends, during the season i take on a lighter work load, spend more time in the lab opposed to being out on exhibitions where i'm gone for days sometimes at a time. i'm not one to really sit still though, so it works for me, being busy." of course they noticed the look on her face caused by their small gesture to pull her inside with them. "oh yeah?" ashton's brow raised, a curve pulling at their lip, "you published, anything i might have heard of?" to say they were intrigued was an understatement as she explained being captivated by emotions that the world holds. "i already have one of those, my identical twin, daxton but this character, a mysterious neighbour, i'll take it as a compliment." hearing that she thought they were interesting, they chuckled at her trying to smoothen her words, "i better make sure i come good with that assumption, wouldn't want you to change your mind after ten minutes." stepping out of the elevator, they once again held out their hand for her to take if she wished. "i hope whoever fumbled the bag with you tonight realises just what they're missing out on."

despite her face warm and red , carmen grinned. after all these years daxton still knew how to get her all hot and bothered. whether this be the flutters in her stomach , or the beating of her heart against her chest, daxton always knew how to make her feel without even trying. " oh ? is that right ? daddy ?" she couldn't help but to giggle. she couldn't help it . it was basically her wild fantasies coming true. carmen trailed a finger down daxton's lips before resting her hands on the sides of their neck, kissing down their jawline. her eyes returned to look into their blue ones. " i think also on top of that , we have to get as much us time as we can before the babies arrive." lips pressed against the back of daxton's ear before her teeth nibbled on their earlobe. " and also , it's best to start practicing early. we dont want to fall behind , right ?" lips now pressing against daxton's, kissing them hungrily, yet passionately, as if it had been a long time since she last had kissed , or been with , daxton.

as their wife began to nibble on their earlobe, any constructive thoughts were gone, daxton completely lost to her touch. their eyes fell closed as goosebumps rose on their skin. "you lost me at on top —" and she had. at times daxton had a very one track mind and right now, that's what was taking over their mind. feeling carmen kiss them hungrily, daxton's hands gripped at her side, kissing her back, matching exactly what she was giving them, their hands slipped under her shirt to tug it over her head, "i've fallen behind enough in my life already, i won't let it happen this time. not with you, not with this."

"okay..." immediately fell from tembi's lips as she flopped down into the seat next to the other. "you've been lookin' like someone stole your whole entire candy collection ever since you got here. what's wrong? why are you so down?"

daxton glanced over at tembi for a moment before lighting up their cigarette. the pair had met through their twin ashton, whilst attending some summer camp they'd been shipped off to when they were teenagers. whilst their sibling had been out trying to charm the older camp councillors, daxton had gravitated towards tembi. "and if there was no candy collection to begin with?" exhaling, they looked out into the crowd, faces they'd seen years ago. they don't even know why they came to this silly little reunion. "m'just not sure this is my vibe, i'm sure you stood up to more than the majority of these people for me back in the day."