you were made for loving me.

Amber Stratford. Summer baby. Eighteen. Rosewood's own princess.

[amberstratford]

#summer2k15

[orville-harlow]

It is but if you’re a waitress you have to keep in mind you’re working for less than minimum wage. 

[amberstratford]

I don’t know shit about wages and what pays best, honestly. Someone suggested retail -- I think that’s the best I can do without a college degree.

[thebusylarkin]

“You probably won’t get laps.” Lincoln shook his head, dismissing the thought. “They probably wouldn’t do that to you unless you like….broke a major rule. That’s probably only reserved for us.” He’d never seen his parents enforce such punishments for broken rules for anyone else that briefly stayed with them. “I won’t do either of those things, but you’ll be fine, I promise. They’re old-fashioned but they’re good people. They’ve got good hearts about stuff.” He gave a vague nod towards the house before leading her in. “Mom, Dad! I’m home, Amber’s here!” He called out. The house was a little quieter than usual. At least two members of the family were probably out of the house. He paused, waiting for a response. In the silence, his eyes scanned over the place, looking around the house through new eyes. What it must be like for someone who hadn’t grown up the past 8 years in the house. She wouldn’t have seen the gradual wearing of the furniture, the way the house changed with the family and people coming and going. “I think they’re out. But  I can show you where you’ll stay?”

[amberstratford]

She let out a small breath of relief. It was a good upper hand -- to not be part of the family so maybe the rules were either worse or better on you. She’d do her best to behave and be on his parents’ good side. This was something that had to work out for her. While Linc yelled for his parents, she waited patiently. Amber was a little sad they weren’t around to welcome her, but she didn’t really have a reason to be upset. She just missed the warmth from parental figures. “Sure, show the way,” Amber said, ignoring her feelings and putting on a soft smile for Lincoln. 

[matilda-worm]

Most people around here don’t really seem to like cooking or fast food, at least in my experience. Fast food is never my first suggestion for people. Then again, people rarely ask.

I work at Barnes and Noble. I actually just started getting back into action there. They gave me a considerable amount of time off, thankfully. 

[amberstratford]

Why wouldn’t they? You’re like, super smart. 

To each their own. I totally see you working there. You have the library vibe, but Barnes and Noble is definitely cooler. So, time off is good or bad? I’m guessing good because it’s summer and you have to have some fun some time.

[matilda-worm]

Well, if you’re good at shopping, then I would definitely suggest merchandise. Work at a store you like to shop at, that way you can get discounts too. As for sewing, there might be costume shops or theaters that need people who know how to sew? At least those are my suggestions.

[amberstratford]

Hm, that works. I’m good with fashion so I could mix shopping with my fashion sense. Theater would be a last option but it doesn’t sound as bad as fast food like someone suggested. 

Do you work anywhere?

[orville-harlow]

Fast food seems like the way to go with qualifications like that. 

[amberstratford]

To have greasy smelling hair and work with bitchy customers? I’m sure there’s something better. A waitress could be a choice, right? The labor is minimum and if I look pretty enough -- which I do -- I’ll get those tips. 

[thebusylarkin]

“Um, let me think…” Linc thought through the usual rules, trying to imagine if there was anything more he would add for someone who was going to live with them. “Try to hold back on cursing. And taking the Lord’s name in vain. Those might get you some looks. Uh, you’ll probably get in their good graces if you go to mass like…once a month or so. But if you’re not Catholic or religious, don’t worry about it.” He paused to think again. What sort of other rules should he brief her on that his parents probably wouldn’t say? “You’ll probably be given some chores. Make sure they get done. And talking back usually gets laps so, it’s good not to do that.”

[amberstratford]

Amber frowned lightly. Those sounded like hard enough rules and the fact that she had to do chores and go to mass didn’t exactly appeal to her. “Laps as in running? OH Lord -- ugh! Sorry. I’m gonna be a total disaster, goodness...” she sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “I’ll survive. Feel free to kick me or pull my hair -- really. I do not want to fuck this up.” She sucked in a breath and headed inside. Her eyes took everything in and she felt better than she thought she would. Linc’s parents weren’t rich, but they weren’t dirt poor, either. The house was comfortable and homey. It felt like it could be okay for a few months. She wouldn’t be living here forever. “This is.. Cute,” she smiled around. 

[addiestratford-deactivated20160]

“I think my heart grew three sizes. How have you been, sis?”

[amberstratford]

“Shittier than ever. You?”

[amberstratford]

So, what are some good summer jobs to have around Rosewood? I won’t do any manual labor, or take care of kids or guard anyone’s life. I’m good at shopping and sewing and.. Looking pretty, really. But, I’m a fast learner, I promise -- and I’m willing to work for minimum wage, if not less...

[amberstratford]

the mermaid ball.

{ no fear of depth  but a great fear of shallow living. }

[calvin-james]

What? No way [The tips of Cal’s ears turned a shade of Pink] I was just saying, it’s cool it’s like as close as I’ve been to Taylor Swift so far since I missed that unofficial prom thing. 

[amberstratford]

What unofficial prom thing? I’m sure if you spoke to Kid or Gwyn they could hook you up with her.

[thebusylarkin]

“Thanks,” he accepted with a nod and a smile. Linc knew the house didn’t compare to some of the bigger houses with endless rooms and more bathrooms than people, but it was home. Always filled with people, always had something happening. And always open to other people. Usually just for a holiday dinner. He hadn’t entirely expected his parents to agree to letting someone else live with them for a while. He knew it was the right thing. Of course it was, letting someone go homeless was cruel at best. It still had the slightest effect of surprise on him. Somewhere underneath it all, there was some reassurance, too. Linc walked to the trunk of his car, pulling out the luggage she’d brought along and beginning to walk towards the door. “I probably should warn you, my parents are a little old-fashioned about most stuff.”

[amberstratford]

“Oh no,” Amber said, turning from her walk towards the door. “Give me the low down because the last thing I need is to be kicked out from the only family that is willing to take me in.” Amber had a real talent of putting her foot in her mouth. Living with her father, though being the most loved one, she always had the freedom of saying whatever she wanted. Her words were mostly tantrums and saying the word “daddy” 50 times in the day.

[addiestratford-deactivated20160]

“I can be happy for some minutes”, Addie shrugged, “I do however think that fireworks should be banned forever. Pets get scared and veterans with PTSD think they’re shots”. 

[amberstratford]

“I didn’t think you cared for other people other than yourself. I’m impressed.”

[amberstratford]

Bags in hand and a bit of a sad expression on her face, Amber gets down from Linc’s car. She sighs and looks up, examining the house that is nowhere near what her house used to be. No commodities, no big porch, it didn’t even have a foyer. She wasn’t sure she might survive a week in this house but it was either try or roam free around Rosewood. “Nice .. home,” Amber said as honestly as she could. Above anything else, she was grateful Lincoln had offered his home to her. She wouldn’t have dared ask anyone else. All of her friends -- or ex friends -- would have probably humiliated her and excluded her even more thanks to her social status drop. 

[thebusylarkin]

The drink? Or are you trying to say you’re looking for more?

[amberstratford]

Nah, I’m joking. I won’t let you go to sleep without hitting him up. Promise.

[sage--blackwell-blog]

Sorry.

[amberstratford]

You don’t... Look very sorry. Are you drunk?

[addiestratford-deactivated20160]

“As much as I hate white clothes, this is not that bad”, Addie commented while she sipped her drink, “I think I just got a nod from Christina Aguilera”. 

[amberstratford]

“Since when are you such a cheerful duck?”