#tate001

Location: The Last Chapter

Casey does her best to stay out of the way, lingering between bookshelves while Tate deals with a customer. But she peeks at him as she makes her way over to the selection of picture books, smiling to herself when she catches a glimpse of her best friend. Is it silly he still gives her butterflies all these years later? There is something special, though, about seeing him in his element. He belongs in a place like this. It’s fitting, and she can’t help the pride that swells in her knowing this bookstore is something they’ve talked about endlessly and now they’re both standing in it. If she didn’t have the courage to follow her dreams, she’s happy to have some part in his. 

The sound of farewells and the chiming of the front door is her cue to come out of her corner. Casey pokes her head out to see if the coast is actually clear, fully re-emerging with a small stack of books for her kiddos. “I have an idea. An offer you simply cannot refuse,” She smiles as she makes her way back towards him. Putting her pile down onto the counter, resting her elbows atop the surface and leaning into it as she looks up at Tate. “Okay, so hear me out. I’m an elementary school music teacher. You own a bookstore, right? What if we combine our powers for good? I found these picture books here about music,” She says, making an effort to put her hand on the stack. “You come to the school and read to my kids. I can play guitar while you do it, kind of like a score or something. I mean, I can’t bring them on a field trip here, so it’ll be like a little staycation or whatever the field trip equivalent is. I think it’d be cool. Do it for the children.”

[Hope]

Hope felt her friend tilting her head back as he raised the bottle up to her lips and poured the alcohol down it. She drank it before pushing it away smiling. She smiled as she pushed her hair out of her face before looking around for her brother. 

[Charlie]

Charlie was walking around the party with a glass of something in his hand. He wasn’t sure what it was but it tasted pretty good. Seeing his sister, he went over to her. “Hey! I am surprised Zach said yes to the party.” He smiled before taking another sip from his drink.

[Hope]

She nodded, “Yeah well, he seemed fine so I’m not going to worry about it.” She said before feeling someone wrap his arms around her waist and start to carry her outside. “Have fun.” She told him.

[Charlie]

“Have fun? Wait I thought-“ He starts to say before someone carries her off. He sighed before shaking his head and turning around accidentally knocking into someone. “Oh shit. I am so sorry.” 

[Tate]

Tate was headed outside with Hope when he felt someone running into him and knocking his drink into him. “It’s fine.” He said as he started brushing off the drink.

[Charlie]

Charlie grabbed some napkins off the counter to help the other clean off the drink. “Can I at least get you another one? I feel bad ruining yours.” He offers up with a smile. 

[Tate]

“No I’m okay, I really shouldn’t be drinking this much anyway. Thanks.” He says as he takes the napkins and starts cleaning himself off. “It’s all good.”

[Charlie]

He noticed how the other’s shirt was clinging to his body and Charlie couldn’t help but bite his lip. “If it’s too wet, I have a shirt you can use? If that’s something you are interested in?”

[Tate]

Tate looked up and just smiled, “No really it’s okay, there’s like a million drunk people here. If it wasn’t you it would have been someone else. I am fine. Thanks though.”

[Charlie]

Charlie couldn’t help but admit the other was cute. He wasn’t sure if it was the drink talking or himself but he looked at the other, “So then are you one of Hope’s friends?” 

[Tate]

“Hm oh yeah, we went to high school together. I didn’t get to hang out with her a lot because her friends didn’t really like me, but she was always nice to me.” He explained. He put the empty glass on the counter before moving to throw the trash away.

[Charlie]

“Any embarrassing stories I could use to blackmail my sister at some point?” He jokes as he moved towards Tate and grabbed another glass. 

[Tate]

“Your sister?” He asked before trying to remember if he knew Hope’s brother's name. “You don’t look like TJ or um…Tommy?”

[Charlie]

“Um yeah, no I am Charlie. TJ lives on the ship and Tommy lives at home. I have been staying with Hope for a while but I am looking for my own place.” He says before pouring himself some water.

[Tate]

“Oh okay, that’s cool. I’m Tate.” He said before seeing one of his friends walking over. He listened to their question before shrugging, “Ah, I’m unsure. Maybe we can check.” He said before turning to Charlie. “It was nice meeting you.” 

[Charlie]

It was almost fortuitous —- Mia was in the biography section (not because she had any desire to read about most people’s lives, but because she wanted to be in the music section and some loudmouth was in her way), and then, just as she scanned her eyes over a book from one of the French wixen figure skaters, she spotted Tate. Pausing her plan to tell the loudmouth to shut up and move the fuck out of her way, she moved around the biography shelf and came up near him. “Hey stranger,” she drawled, glancing at the shelf he was looking at. “Is this for the supply list or just personal reading?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.