shoot for the sky

tierney: if i paid u will u give my podcast a five star rating on the listening platform of ur choice

tierney: trying to get a new sponsor in and want to look good AF

tierney: so u'd have to make it convincing hence the monetary offer

xavier: more sponsors, that's huge!

xavier: i mean cash is always the best incentive, don't get me wrong...

As soon as instructions were handed out, Ben gave a nod, helping Xavier with the couch, heading further into the house. “Got it…” came his casual response as they moved. Conversation wasn’t exactly the easiest while hefting around a large piece of furniture, so he left it at that for now. When they reached the room they were heading for, he let a breath go slowly, taking in everything else already set up in there. “Might have been easier to have put this in here first…” he commented with the lightest of laughs.

“Yeah, of course I’m trying to guilt trip you. Now I have to ride my bike across town to see you? This is all just truly selfish of you.” Of course at this point, every word he said was sarcastic and playful, the growing smirk on his lips making that pretty clear as he lifted the couch and guided it out of Xavier’s apartment. Connor walked backwards heading to their neighbor’s as he did his best not to stumble over his own feet. “In all seriousness, congrats on the new place, man. You need help moving any other stuff to your new place? I got nothin’ goin’ on today.. y’know. Except making you feel guilty.”

Xavier chuckled enjoying the teasing all too well, “I’m making sure you get your thirty minutes of exercise. You really should be thanking me for looking out for you. I’m making sure those legs keep up with those drummer arms.” His back instantly thanked him as he tried to do all the heavy lifting, making sure not to go too fast. With a proud smile he head nodded in acknowledgment at Connor. Even though it was only a few blocks away, there was nothing like just popping over to his friend’s apartment for a few second only for it to turn into hours. Xavier never would have asked, so he was glad Connor did as he nodded his head. “I mean if you’re going to make me feel bad, it’s even and I don’t have to feel guilty for making you help me move. I can repay you with take-out?” He smiled brightly. “On your left,” he tilted his head as they were just about to reach their neighbor’s door. 

When Xavier mentioned the Notebook, Holly had to laugh, although their eyes had very clearly lit up. “You’ve no idea how much I love that movie,” they responded with a shake of their head. “Can’t help but feel sorry for James Marsden every time, but I still bawl like a baby at the end.” Maybe that was shameful to admit out loud, but when had they ever really cared? “Mostly life experiences,” they told him with a nod of their head. “There was a lot I wanted to write about. Coming to live in a different country, sexuality, gender.”

Holly nodded, not being able to do anything but agree with his words. They were sure a lot of people would describe them as annoyingly optimistic sometimes, though they’d always been that way, unable to stop themselves. They believed it had got through life and had no intention of stopping any time soon. “I agree, I really do,” they answered with a smile.

This time laughter escaped. “That’s the best way to be, you know?” they commented lightly, having always believed that. “You might be right there. Plus you can pick the chair and the right chair makes a lot of difference.” Another bright smile. “I work at Milk, but I’m a blogger too, so that’s where the sitting comes in…”

She nodded “Yeah, all good here.” It was as heavy as it looked but backing out was not an option. Oasis wasn’t the best place to live and honestly if he was leaving for greener pastures she wouldn’t blame him at all. Given that they were facing a desert summer with no functioning pool, it was starting to look like getting out was the best option. “I hope your next place of living treats you well!”

“Thank you so much for helping me out. I really appreciate it. I was killing my lower back for a second there.” He let out of a soft sigh as he lifted the piece of furniture with ease. Xavier shot the girl a smile, “Thanks. I’m look forward to it, despite the craziness.” He chuckled. “Have you lived here long?” 

“You make a good point,” Holly responded simply, knowing what he said was right, Everyone had different ideas about it really, but that was because everyone was different and they preferred it that way. “You’re seeing it the right way, although there’s a lot of people who don’t. I think they’re setting themselves up for depression personally.”

Wrinkling their nose, they shook their head. ”I’m not, I’m really not, corny is totally my thing,” they said with a laugh. There was a reason they were into all the cheesy movies and so on, they’d always loved them, so far away from their own life, but a fun escape. “It doesn’t sound like much fun, no, and I‘ve always been about trying to have fun in my workplace. Don’t think I’d survive there. I do spend eight hours sitting sometimes, but that’s my own fault.”

A little laugh sputtered from Xavier’s lips, “I don’t blame you for thinking that. I’m not saying that being overly optimistic doesn’t get annoying, I’m sure it does. I just think it’s better than the latter,” as she had pointed out. 

those lightly mascaraed lashes narrowed in a razor sharp glare toward xavier , and honey held her tongue until the couch was perfectly situated , dusting off her hands by clapping palms together . once she was free of gunk both arms folded over her chest , a brow cocked skyward , hip jutting to one side as dark eyes looked the male up , then down , then up again . “ hm . “ she spoke , allowing the noise to hang in the air for a good few agonising seconds , “ not that kind of drink , coleman . you should be so lucky . i don’t think it’s overstepping to request payment for a job well done . if you can’t stretch to a drink , dinner would do just fine . “ 

“Pretty sure a lot of people wouldn’t be all that happy about losing time,” Holly responded with a shake of their head, although their expression was easy and understanding. “To some that’s the most precious thing in the world. But I think it’s worth giving a little of it up to get where I want to be… finally.” They’d come to terms with that now and that really was all that mattered. “Corny, huh? I love things that sound corny, so hit me with it,” they chuckled gently. “Well that definitely makes sense. That’s one thing I’ve never done, worked in an office. I don’t think I could.”

Xavier’s lip curled upward as he nodded, “The older I’ve gotten, I’ve just come to the conclusion that there isn’t really wasting time. Whether something good or bad happens, you take something away from it. That almost means something or at least I like to think so. Maybe it’s just my excuse for loosing so much of it.” 

He’d blocked off the afternoon to get some writing done but had spent most of it sprawling on the couch staring up at the peeling ceiling of his Oasis apartment. Inspiration was in short supply lately, drying up like a puddle in the California desert. As the day drew on, Nic finally summoned the energy to peel himself off the couch and trudge outside for a snack from the vending machine. A small, easy goal to get him a dopamine hit. On his way, he was sidetracked by a man and a couch. “Huh? Yeah, sure,” he said, wandering over. “Have arms, can lift.”

actual moving companies were a waste of money , she thought . why get somebody else to do the heavy lifting for you when you and a group of friends were perfectly capable ?? since she was little , honey fought for the ability to be totally self-sufficient , and those skills were perfectly transferrable to aid in other’s struggles . rolling her eyes , she allowed the breath of a laugh to fall from parted lips . “ that’s why i work out so much . didn’t i tell you , xavier , the only reason i go to the gym and lift weights heavier than your entire body is so i can help shift your couches across the room . it’s always been a dream of mine . some little girls want to be princesses , i wanted to be your own personal removal expert . “ as she made baby-steps to edge the furnishing into the home , she hummed to ponder a decision , “ i think all this work warrants a drink , don’t you ?? “