shine bright

❝ i swear they do, but not like really strong earhquakes, it’s more like tremors, some sleep right through it believe it or not. ❞

“You know, I think I’ve actually heard of that before. That would be an awesome super power, to not feel Earthquakes. Maybe we get those little ones here that no one can feel.”

“thirty!? oh god – it’s worse than i thought…” he played along dramatically, “am i going grey? you better take a look…” he laughed. “but i always do something stupid. that’s what i do. i mean – i do stupid stuff when i’m sober”

“I’m a nurse, not a cosmetologist,” they teased. “I’m almost certain that the stupid things you think you’re doing aren’t actually as stupid as you make them out to be. Besides, I think everyone does stupid stuff when they’re sober. It’s part of life, I’m afraid. You’re just lucky your stupid doesn’t end with you meeting me while I’m at work.”

“i know right? if only our stress was over trivial things. i feel like i’m gonna have white hair before i even turn thirty” jemma exclaimed with a slight shake of her head. her index finger playing with the rim of her coffee cup. “oh wow, so you’ve been here long enough. your surprise over this storm continues to baffle me. i’ve been here six months now, and i agree with you. I see myself being here for a long time. There’s just something very alluring about this island…”

“Back home, rain wasn’t so much of an issue as snow was. I’ve been here to see some of the major storms, but I feel like I’m always surprised when they actually hit and the thunder makes the walls shake.” They shook their head, staring out the window. “I’m glad you’ve found a home here. It seems like to many people share that sentiment. It definitely feels like a paradise. I used to think places like these were only for movie stars who wanted to go on super expensive vacations, so to be living here... it’s definitely a shock.”

seth couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and nod accordingly to the stranger’s words, getting the feeling that the girl might be new to the island. “what can I say, it’s a town favorite.” he shrugged as he raised two fingers to the bartender for his usual order of rum on the rocks before turning back to her curiously. “you new here?”

She watched the bartender get the drink before looking back to her companion. “Must be a favorite of yours if the bartender knows your order without you even having to really ask,” she noted. “Yep. Planning on taking a bit of an extended vacation here. I’ll assume you’re not new at all?”

“ oh come on, live a little. ” krissy dropped her towel on the ground, wanting to engage with chantal but knowing it was a bad idea. she clearly wanted a fight, and krissy didn’t want to give her that attention, but she really couldn’t help it. “ you know what’s stupid?? being negative all the time and shitting on your friends’ ideas. ”

“Ooh, yikes,” she mumbled, rolling her eyes. “I’m not negative all the time, only when it’s something dumb like this.” She crossed her arms and stared up at the fence. “If you really want me to climb over that fence, then you climb it first. And promise me that if this shit goes wrong, I will not have to explain to my mother why I was on the other side of someone’s fence.”

the rain has always been soothing for the blonde, bringing back memories from home – the place she’d rather be right now. but there, freya would be caught in another storm, one less pleasing. the raindrops trickled down her pale skin as her eyes closed, listening to the sound of thunder striking through the air. “ nothing’s stopping you from grabbing one now, “ she said, trying to ignore the girl’s voice.

“Maybe, except that my umbrella’s back at my apartment and I just need to get to work. I don’t have the time to go back and get one. Ah well, at least it’s just water.” She ignored the colder tone to her voice as she stepped out into the rain, squinting as she glanced up at the sky. “You like the rain then?”

“ yeah ? yeah, same, i guess, ” honey murmured, gently thrumming his fingers against the sides of his coffee cup. “ i – i wish i had brought mine, too. and headphones. i — i don’t like the thunder sounds very much. ” he was usually one to stay at home and hide from the thunder and lightning when the weather became harsh. “ at least it’s … it’s not a hurricane, huh ? that would be … it would be bad. ”

“You’re definitely right. We’ve been rather lucky on the hurricane front recently, haven’t we? I’ve been expecting us to get another one, but I’d much prefer it stays like this for a while, don’t you agree?” They look out the window again. “Yeah the thunder can be a little jarring, so I know what you mean.”

❝ oh, you definitely get used to it at some point. ❞ montgomery replied, taking his eyes of his phone for a moment to look at the grey sky. he had always hated the rain, specially as a child; it made the trailer park muddy and it was always cold enough to rattle his bones. ❝ they never last for long anyways, just… make life a lot h a r d e r for everyone. ❞ he took a sip of his apple tea, a small smile on his lips. ❝ you could probably wait it out, but if you’re really in a RUSH there are probably people outside selling really poor quality ones for like ten bucks or something. ❞

“As much as I would trust a poor quality umbrella to get me home,” she began, a hint of joking in her voice, “the last thing I need is another umbrella cluttering up my closet.” She thought to the two that were already sitting tucked away, one in fine condition, and the other one on the verge of breaking completely. If she was being honest with herself, she only kept it in case she needed it for a rainy day.... literally. “You’d think the sky would take pity on us every once and awhile. Although I guess it already does with the amount of sun we get.”

jemma couldn’t chuckled but along with her, “careful there, you’re going to get wrinkles from the stress you seeming to be having over this rain.” the brunette quipped with a short smirk. this hadn’t been the first the storm had caught jemma unexpectedly, and yet after several instances she still hadn’t thought to be prepared when she saw clouds gathering. of course the other reason was she really couldn’t be bothered to carry around an umbrella everywhere. “a car would be nice but it’s impossible to drive here, with the cabs it’s quick. well don’t worry, i’m not much prepared to step out anymore than you are and i’m told i’m a charming company. how long have you been here?”

Natalie laughed, nodding along to the sentiment. “Yeah, I probably will. Although I’d be considering myself very lucky if worrying over the rain was the thing that gave me wrinkles.” Taking a sip of their coffee, they knew that it was true. Cabs were so much easier and though they missed their old, rusty Jeep, it was nice to not have to worry about it anymore. “Three years. And planning to stay for at least that much longer. What about you? A native to the island or just been here a while?”

jude chuckled, “that’s humble of you then.” he relaxed back in his chair, closing his eyes for a brief moment. “glad to hear, you should get some rest — and yeah. a very long night. maybe i’m getting too old for it.” he grinned.

“Old?” she said with a grin. “You’re what, like thirty?” she teased, knowing very well that he was not yet in his thirties. “You’re never too old for a night out and some fun. At least, as long as your not doing anything stupid.”

“you wound me.” blake said clutching her chest. she smirked and shook out her wet hair onto the girl. “see chantal it’s so cool and nice. come here. i’ll give you a big ocean hug! you’ll love it!”

“Do not!” Chantal lifted her arms to protect herself from the water before pouting slightly. “The water is freezing,” she whined, squinting up at Blake. “Go back to trying to surf so I can sit in the sun and watch you fail,” she teased.

❝ you’re not used to the florida storms ? ❞ maze wondered, accent thick before she took a sip from her own beverage.  ❝ i’m sure it’s just a matter of time before you start getting used to it, it’s like people in countries in central america, so used to the little earthquakes, sometimes they don’t even feel them. ❞

“Not yet,” they said. “I’ve only been here for three years though, so I think I’ve got plenty of time. I’m not planning on moving any time soon at least.” They raised their eyebrows. “I don’t think I would ever get used to an earthquake.”

“I know right. I’m just hoping it ends soon..” Julie agreed looking out the window with a worried expression. Focusing her attention on the other again she frowned. “Otherwise I’m afraid we’ll have to stay here.. forever.” She said dramatically. “Well at least until the rain’s gone.. which could take a while.. bet you’re wishing you’d brought your pyjama’s now right?”

She grinned at the implication of possibly having to stay forever. “A while, absolutely, but I’m hoping not forever! What would everyone think if we were stuck in here forever because we don’t have umbrellas?” She shook her head with a slight laugh. “Oh absolutely. Just curl up by the window, all comfy.”