Sunkissed

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Even though she was here tonight Alex could still feel her stomach turning from the float earlier in the day. She wasn’t sure if it was from the stop and go motions or the fact she wasn’t buckled in, but she was still feeling slightly queasy. Knowing that she couldn’t do this any longer as much as she wanted to and this was something that was an honor, she wanted to do right by the town. Taking the shiny tiara off of her head, she held it gently in her hands as she walked around the ball and tired to locate Zuri. 

Finding the woman outside and Alex walked up to her before giving a curtsy playfully. “Hey, Runner Up.” She greeted with a smile on her face still before lifting up the tiara in her hands. “What do you say about tossing that Runner’s Up crown down for the night and taking this for a spin? You know since I can’t keep doing the parade.” 

WHERE: Founder’s Ball at the Mayor’s WHEN: June 6, 2020

“We’re gonna slow it down a bit,” Ford announced, his jittery body in need of a drink. Flipping a switch on the rented mixer, he stood until he heard the familiar notes of Love Lies that always made the man involuntary bob his head whenever he heard it in his store or in the car. Stepping over the wires, he grabbed the supposedly required crown from the top of his head and then flipped off his headphones, resting it on his neck. Making a beeline for the open bar, he leaned over the counter that separated him and the bartender. “Coke and rum? Thanks.” He nodded as he received a visual conformation that he was heard. Ford had stupidly volunteered to deejay the event, but he had meant it as a joke. Before he knew it, the ball rolled, and he was here. Miserable, needing to be anywhere but here. Ford was smart enough to know that it was the organizers that made it hell – the week itself was not as bad if he mentally took them out of the equation. Good food, meeting people, that wasn’t something he ever complained about. “How long before this shit is over?” Ford’s question escaped his mouth before he could think of the consequences of speaking. ‘Here you go, sir.’ Eyebrows raised slowly as he turned towards the bartender, taking his drink. “Thanks again.”

     The last time Zuri was up in front of people things ended... not so greatly. So when she heard her name not being called as winner of this year’s Mr. and Mrs. Maywood (twenties category) she was extremely relieved. Putting on a face to present to the public felt too much like acting, which was a field she wasn’t sure she was ready to venture into just yet. She was more than happy to take her mini crown with grace, and fall to the back of the festivities without issue. Though her founder’s week had seemed to start out going well, she couldn’t entirely say the same.

Where: Mayors House When: June 6th What: Casino during the Founder’s Ball

Natalia had managed to find her way to the casino during the Founder’s Ball. She had probably spent too much time there already but it was better than to embarrass herself on the dancefloor. Sure, she had watched Beyonce. No one would skip Beyonce. So after she had made her way over to the bar for a drink, she found her way to the casino. “I’ve been having such bad luck so far. Do you have any tips on how to do any of this better?”

WHAT: Maywood Parade WHERE: Downtown Maywood

After eight years of residing in Maywood, Corinna still did not make up her mind on how she felt about Founder’s Week. One part of her appreciated it, she learned something new every year and on the other hand… she did not see what the point was, if you looked beyond the superficial stuff of the awards and the King and Queen… what else was there? What was the goal? “I suppose we’ll never know,” Corinna cooed at her tiny friend, walking through an oddly quiet part of the parade path. Stepping up onto the sidewalk, the woman shifted Ruben’s weight on her quickly as she enveloped him with her arms. “What do you think of this year’s winners?” She inquired out loud, finally reading some brochure or card, whatever that lady said, that had all the names documented. What was amusing ( and lowkey sad ), though, was that her boyfriend and the resident hot daddy, the said daddy of the baby she’d been caring for all day, both lost and fell to runner up. “Kind of an…interesting bunch, if I say so myself.”

     It was like the second the Mrs and the Mr was announced, Zuri was out of her gown and back in jeans. Though she did make sure to return to the parade, if for nothing more than to capture Ford smiling and waving to poke fun at him for it later. Though she had to admit, even with the itchy dress she had to adorn while they announced the winners she was having quite a bit of fun. Might even say she had missed it while she was away.

       THUMP. she was suppose to be home alone. tucked away in the blanket she’d finished knitting earlier that week with a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. she convinced herself it was nothing more than a rusted pipe settling --- or maybe her neighbors being a little too loud so late at night. but the thump turned into a shuffled, and that put her at unease. had she locked her door? “hello?” zuri called out slowly; but it was more of a whisper. a little too scared of being heard by what could have been an intruder. after all what would they do? respond kindly to her? no matter how she was expecting, there was no response to her call. even the thumping, and what she thought could have been shuffling died down. she sat motionless in silence for a short while before allowing herself relax.