Sunshine

Trust that you can fly & you'll soar Bethany Grace Dryden Call me Beth 29 Teacher Daughter, sister, Momma Claret park

[beth-dryden]

Maddie

—

She’d been debating on calling it a night and heading back to Beth’s to spend the rest of the evening with Ellie wrapped up in blankets watching whatever movie struck her niece’s fancy. She’d never been a big fan of Valentine’s Day, the amount of relationship garbage that was annually shoved in her face at the beginning of each February annoyed her more than anything, but she’d had a glimmer of hope that maybe this year was going to be different. It’d all came crashing down around here a week ago, though, and now the only part of Valentine’s she was excited about was it’s end and the subsequent 50% off deals on all the candy associated with it. She was finishing off her signature moonshine drink when Beth sauntered up next to her, the older Dryden plastering a soft smile on her features for her sister. “Mm, absolutely nothing.” She chuckled, bringing the glass to her lips and finishing off the liquid within. “I was actually just thinking of heading home. I miss my sweatpants.” She mused. “How’s Ellie?”

-

In all honestly, when she had been sitting on the floor of Ellie’s bedroom, gently stroking her daughter’s back to try and keep her reassured as she fell asleep, Beth had seriously considered changing back into her pyjamas, texting her sister that she wasn’t coming and spending the night being with her daughter. As she stood there now, the guilt was eating away at her and she quickly picked up a glass of champagne from the bar, downed it, before placing the empty back on the bar. She could get through it, especially if she got to see him. “Absolutely nothing? You’ve been here for like two hours and you’re telling me nothing has happened? These events cannot be that boring.” Glancing at Maddie’s empty glass, Beth caught the attention of the bartender and ordered two more, ignoring the fact that she definitely wouldn’t like it. “Absolutely not, you and that perfect dress are staying here so we can have some sisterly bonding time.” Nodding, Beth sighed a little, still a little uneasy at the thought of leaving her daughter. “She’s fine, she’s asleep. Every time I even went to leave her room she freaked out, it hasn’t happened in years honestly. Dad joined mom though, knowing him, he’ll be sitting by her bedside until we get home.” Looking over at her sister, Beth gently wrapped her arm around the blonde’s waist, leaning her head on her shoulder. “Have you seen him? Tell me you two have talked at least?”

[beth-dryden]

Derek

Derek had been outside, getting a break from the inside of the venue before moving back inside. As he opened the door, letting it fall shut behind him he heard the voice of a familiar woman. Beth brought a smile to his lips, though she hadn’t said anything but warning him about the cold. “It is a bit brisk out there,” he told her with a light hearted chuckle. “I had to cool down a bit,” he ran a hand down the front of his chest, “it was a getting a bit warm in here. Did you just get here?” He walked closer to her, eyes wandering down the length of her dress. “I’ve been, uh, I was looking for you earlier but didn’t see you.” After their night together, he had been looking forward to seeing her again. 

-

As soon as she heard the voice, Beth’s head snapped up from her phone with an instant smile. “Hi..” She hadn’t made concrete plans to meet him at the event, but they had both known they’d be there and she couldn’t deny that she was truly happy to see him. “I did, actually, I got a bit delayed.” Moving away from her spot, Beth gently rubbed one of her bare arms, unable to stop herself from blushing under his gaze. “I had an overly clingy child to deal with tonight. She wouldn’t fall asleep unless I stayed by her side and it took a while, but I’m here now.” After their date on the slopes and the night they had snuck away from the speed dating, Beth couldn’t deny that the main reason she hadn’t completely bailed on the event was the change to see Derek again, especially in a suit. “You were?” Smiling again, Beth reached out, gently brushing her finger against his. “That’s good, I was going to come and look for you after I’d checked in with my mom. I’m glad you’re still here.”

[beth-dryden]

Location: Valentine’s Day Masquerade Starter for: @derekxaranda​

As much as she had wanted to go out tonight, having dealt with an extremely clingy Ellie before leaving had Beth in an alleyway out the back of the venue, texting her mother for updates as she was wracked with guilt. Ellie hadn’t been quite like that for a long time and after prying her arms from around her neck for what felt like the fiftieth time, the little girl only falling asleep with her mother and grandmother sitting by her bed, Beth had felt like just slipping into her pyjamas and staying close, just in case her daughter woke up in the night, in the same mood. 

Tapping her foot against the floor as she waited for a reply from her mum, Beth nibbled on her bottom lip, champagne flute hanging from her other hand. Shivering as the cold wind caught her bare skin, Beth glanced down at her phone as it buzzed, a picture of Ellie sound asleep and some reassurance from Grace attached. As the door opened, Beth shivered again, placing her glass on the ground and tapping out a reply without looking up. “Unless you want to freeze to death, I’d stay inside to be honest.”

[beth-dryden]

Location: Valentine’s Day Masquerade Starter for: @maddiehawthxrne​

If there was one thing Beth Dryden ever was, it was late, yet as she reached the venue two hours after she was supposed to arrive, late was exactly what she was. Having left her coat at the cloakroom, Beth blew out a breath to try and reduce the slightly flustered look on her face before she walked into the main room. She couldn’t honestly say that Valentine’s Day was her favourite of the year, having never really celebrated it, even when she was in a relationship but as she looked around the room, she couldn’t help but smile. 

Replacing a curl that had fallen out of place, Beth glanced around, trying to spot a familiar face, landing on the most familiar almost instantly. High heels clicking on the floor as she walked over to her sister, Beth swiped a glass of champagne from the bar before nudging Maddie gently on the arm. “Two hours later and your niece is finally asleep and I was able to leave the house. What have I missed?”

[beth-dryden]

Derek

starter for @beth-dryden​ location: the glass onion

Derek had not expected to see Beth Dryden at the speed dating event, but once he had, he had shot her a text during the appetizer round. It was a brief moment, at least after his few glasses of wine, asking if she wanted to do literally anything else besides continue to stay at this event. His entire appetite for another three courses had been ruined the moment he stepped up to his table and saw Emmy sitting there. The woman was responsible for giving him information that she slept with Ver over Halloween. Though, it’s not like she knew that Ver and Derek were together, in some sense, but Derek knew. Derek absolutely knew. And since then, his life had been a bit of a mess. 

“Beth,” he greeted her, breathlessly and with a grin spreading across his lips. “I am glad you agreed to get out of here with me because I don’t think I could have went on with the rest of this nice. Care for a drink before we go?” He said as he leaned against the bar, eyes not leaving her own. “Or do we just get the hell out of dodge and get a drink elsewhere?”

-

“Derek.” She wished she didn’t, but she couldn’t help but grin back at him as he stood in front of her at the bar. Beth hadn’t even known that Derek was at the event until her phone had buzzed and with a quick look around, she had spotted him a few tables over. Having been signed up to the event by Maddie, Beth hadn’t wanted to be there from the second she had stepped into the room and although the date over the first course hadn’t been bad, she just hadn’t been looking for anything.

Shaking her head, the blonde pressed her lips together as she tried to stop smiling. Their first date had gone so well and even though Beth knew it probably wasn’t the best idea to go there with Derek, she couldn’t help herself. “I think maybe we should just get out of here..” Subtly, she tilted her to the side, nodding in the vague direction of a very recognisable blonde sitting at one of the tables. “Easier to say I had a headache and went home than risk world war three by my brother seeing us having a drink together at a dating event.” Glancing over to her brother, Beth looked back to Derek, bright blue hues meeting his own. “Shall we?”

[beth-dryden]

Benji

who: @beth-dryden​

where: the glass onion

“Don’t look at me like that.” Benji said as he rose his hands. He had meant to stay a little far back of the room but the bar had been calling his name. If he was going to make sure Beth was fine, he wanted to at least enjoy a drink. “I was sent here to make sure you weren’t hooked up with a weird date but then I saw you had a date with Bash.”

The man was a dear friend of his and probably one of the best people he knew. “I’m not going to ask about it but he’s a really good guy. He reads cards and shit. Super impressive.”

-

The date hadn’t been bad, in fact, after she’d almost immediately come clean about being signed up to the event without her knowledge, she’d been able to get on well with Bash, the first course not being as torturous as it could’ve been. However, as soon as she left the table and spotted Benji at the bar, the blonde’s face became a bit thunderous. 

Walking over to him, Beth shook her head. “Oh no, I will have any look I want, Benji Scott. Did you know she did this?” Glancing over to the table she was just at, Beth looked back to Benji with a little roll of her eyes. “You know how she could’ve made sure I didn’t end up on a weird date without sending her boyfriend? By not sending me to speed dating event!” Leaning against the bar, the blonde blew out a breath. “Yeah, he seems like a nice guy, this just is not me, Benji. I am nearly thirty. Is she here?”

[beth-dryden]

Bash

location: the glass onion, valentine’s speed dating dinner

status: closed ( @beth-dryden​​ )

From the moment he walked in, Bash knew that the speed dating dinner would be, without a doubt, the weirdest event he’d ever been a part of in this town. Signing up had been a joke at first, a couple of his friends had been considering it and they all thought it was pretty funny, but then he got to thinking and… well, it wouldn’t hurt to meet some new people. After all, he’d been complaining to Benji about the sad state of his love life just recently, hadn’t he? And the worst thing that could happen is that he made some new friends. He hadn’t considered how nerve-wracking it would actually be until he was actually there.  It was no comfort that when he was directed to his table he was seated across from a woman who looked like she’d rather be anywhere else than here.

“Hey!” he said brightly, trying not to make it too obvious that he felt awkward and deeply out of place. “How’s it going? I’m Bash.”

-

Of all the places she wanted to be, sitting at a speed dating event for Valentines Day was absolutely at the bottom of the list. She hadn’t even known about the event until she was forced down here by her eldest sister, the older Dryden having signed Beth up without telling her. As someone, she assumed was her first course date, approached the table, Beth forced a smile onto her face. She may not have wanted to be there, but she be damned if she’d be rude about it.

Resting her hands in her lap, Beth nodded as she sat up slightly. “Beth, nice to meet you.” Reaching out to take a sip of her wine, Beth glanced over at Bash, cracking almost immediately. “I’m sorry, you probably did not sign up to be set up with the girl who was literally forced here by her older sister. It’s embarrassing, it’s weird and I’m sorry that this really isn’t what the event is for.”

[beth-dryden]

Derek

Derek, despite the fact that she was calling herself an idiot, found himself grinning at her. “There might be but I don’t think you are nearly there.” He told her in reassurance. “There is nothing wrong with bringing up penguins. We are in the snow, in the cold,” he laughed softly, “and we really could look like penguins if we decided to waddle around on the boards.” Which, Derek, had done before and he hardly cared if people saw him and made fun of him. “Only if you do it with me,” he said pointedly, grinning at her once more. “I won’t be doing it alone,” he teased her, knowing full and well that he would if it would get another laugh and smile out of the woman. “You’re doing it,” he nodded his head, watching as she she began to guide herself down the slope, only a few slides before falling forward into the snow. “Shit,” he jogged over to her, “are you okay?” He wanted to hold out his hands to help her up, but she asked how to do it. “Okay, pivot your board, across the slope so you aren’t sliding down it.” He explained to her, “You might have to crawl a little, and then just push yourself up with your hands as you rock back onto the board. And if you need help, I’m just an ask away.”

-

As he grinned at her, Beth couldn’t help but return the gesture. She had never expected that after seeing him at the Christmas markets, and with a few spiked hot chocolates in her system, that she would ask him out, but it was turning out to be one of the better dates she’d been on. She was already so comfortable around him and every smile was genuine, even if she was out of her comfort zone. “At least I don’t have to pretend I’m usually cooler than this, you know me too well already.” Moving a gloved hand up, Beth brushed a few strands off of her face just as her eyes rolled playfully. “Fine, but only because I want to see you doing it.” Beth vaguely remembered learning to ski as a child and it had taken her a long time to get anywhere close to being allowed on a proper slope and it seemed, as she had gotten older, her knack of picking up snow sports hadn’t improved. “Mhm, all good, slightly wounded ego but all good.” She listened to his instructions, her face a little blank as she tried to manoeuvre herself. “I feel like I’m trying to break dance..” Giggling, the blonde shook her head. “Would you mind helping me up, please?”

[beth-dryden]

Atlas

***

Atlas felt the same about Benji, at least with the him being great part. He trusted the male to take care of Maddie and to look out for her, but he hated the thought of the other encouraging anything but staying where her family was. “I don’t know if he’ll be too quick to take her away anywhere after that stunt she pulled over Thanksgiving. Don’t get me wrong, I know they’re the travelin’ type, but maybe that whole scare will make him want to keep her here for a little longer. Between Ellie, Alex, and Maggie, I think we just have to lay on the whole Aunt Maddie thing thick.” Though, they both already knew that if Maddie wanted to leave town, no one was going to stop her from doing it. A quiet laugh fell from his mouth and in that moment, he realized he’d been wrong about the whole Dryden family. He’d let his shitty judgement get in the way of knowing good people, but Maddie had turned that around for him and shown him just how wrong he was. “No, it really doesn’t, but I’m the jerk who thought she was a Summit Lake snob. The guy who hates judgement, but judges. It was a surprise.” The three days after meeting had been full of surprises, but he’d spare Beth the details, mostly because there were some that he wasn’t proud of.

Another laugh rolled off his tongue and Atlas bit down on his lip to stifle the continued breathy hums of amused. Basic bitch coffee with Beth Dryden; a massive secret. “She has enough to ruin all of us already. Don’t give her something else. She has enough power as it is and I’d hate to load her up with anything else.” If she wanted, there was plenty that she could spill on him, but the same could’ve been said towards her. There were many stories that he’d withheld from Beth and everyone else with the Dryden name in an attempt to keep them from losing their minds. “It’s weird seeing her with crutches. I think I’m so used to seeing her always on the go, that now that she has to stay in one place, it’s weird.” When the crutches came off is the time he was fearing the most. She would have too much traveling time lost to just sit around in Providence Peak. “That’s a dangerous move to make there, Beth. You can’t just tell me to stop by whenever because then I’m going to be here a lot more. I can’t ever pass up freshly baked goods. Don’t matter if they’re basic or not. Turns out, basic is kinda my thing sometimes.” Basic bitch coffee lover, right? “Damn. She’s learning how to be savage early. Gotta watch that one. I think Alex is the same way. She’s too smart for her own good.” He blamed her intelligence on Aslihan, but wasn’t a bad thing. Not as long as she didn’t use it against them. “The fact that you’re saying you won’t makes me think that it at least crossed your mind.” He could cook, but he wasn’t a baker. “Sounds good though. I’ll bring her over and let the professional baker show her how it’s done. I’ll assist though, y’know, ‘cause teamwork.”

-

Nodding, the blonde could only shrug. It was a possibility that the events of Thanksgiving had given Benji a scare enough that he was inclined to try and keep her in town for a bit longer as well, but if there was anyone that had the same travelling bug as Maddie, it was her boyfriend. “We’ll see, I guess. But I am all for using the children, it’s pretty much the only reason I got pregnant, so I could use Ellie as blackmail against, well, every member of my family.” Looking at Atlas, Beth couldn’t help but smile. Considering how close he was with her sister and how well he got on with the family, it had always shocked her that he had such an impression of them when he had first met Maddie. Of course, it wasn’t that uncommon and the blonde had come across her fair share of people who thought the exact same, but usually they didn’t take the time to get to know them. “You’re not the first and you won’t be the last, but I’m glad you don’t think we’re assholes now, besides, we both know you’re not a jerk.”

Smirking, Beth giggled as she reached for her coffee cup again, thinking over all of the things that she had stored in her mind to use against Maddie one day, if the need appeared. “True, she has my entire life to use against me, but between the three other Dryden siblings and you, we have more than enough that she’d drop the basic bitch coffee pretty quickly.” As many embarrassing and funny stories Beth held about her sister, she couldn’t help but wonder about what Atlas could be hiding as well. Maybe there was a whole side to her sister that she didn’t know. “You know you’re always welcome, don’t even. If I’m not in, then just text me and I’ll drop some round to your place, there’s always a selection here.” Laughing again, Beth shook her head as she took a sip of her coffee, shaking the cup before she finished the hot drink and put the cup back on the coffee table. “Teamwork, we’ll make it work. At leas then you’ll be able to bake with her whenever. Just promise me you’ll never let Maddie bake with her, the girl nearly burnt down my kitchen trying to cook with Ellie a few months ago.”

[beth-dryden]

Cal

“You’re a phenomenal mother, Beth.. and I completely adore my sweet, most-amazing-human-on-the-planet niece. But all that doesn’t make you any less sneaky.” Callum was mindful of Ellie as she wandered in and out of the room. Obviously, he wasn’t going to get in too deep about his grievances with Maddie in front of the innocent girl, but he didn’t enjoy being softly lectured to by Beth either, in his own home of all places. “Yeah. I’m sure we have,” he sighed, thinking back to November and the strain the family was under then. Cal finished the cookie he’d taken an rubbed his hands together to rid them of crumbs. “Sounds like you’ve found the middle and you’re stepping in it.” he chided gently. “Well, listen favorite sister, we can drop it.. because.. I am mending things with Benji.. I’ll make my way with Maddie. It’s just .. complicated. Okay?”  

-

Smiling at the compliment, Beth’s eyes instantly flitted around to find her daughter. It was her one true fear in life, that she wasn’t doing a good job with Ellie, considering she had all the parenting to do herself and even though she was sure Callum would never say different, the affirmation meant a lot to her. “I grew up with three older siblings, of course I’m sneaky. I learnt from the best.” It hadn’t been an easy couple of months on the family. With Maddie’s disappearance, it had been the roughest time the Dryden’s had gone through collectively and Beth had seen how worried Callum had been, she had cried on his shoulder that morning in the kitchen which made the current situation more confusing. “I am in the middle, Callum, naturally. She went missing and you’ve barely even looked at her since, it seems. If you’re mending things with Benji, you should mend things with Maddie, she’s our sister.” Breaking off a piece of cookie, Beth nibbled on the edge of it as she looked up at her older brother. “Honestly, I have one sister who only wants breastfeeding tips, you and Maddie aren’t talking, I need at least one normal sibling.” Looking up at him again, the blonde pouted her lips. “You did just admit that I’m your favourite, so we can call it an early birthday present.” Taking another bite of cookie, Beth shrugged, not caring that her birthday was in September. “At least she isn’t dating someone that, you know, scammed the family, she could do a lot worse.”

[beth-dryden]

Camden

.

“I don’t know. I have a feeling, it might be a better situation if he didn’t remember. At least swipe his own foolishness from his mind.” Fun and poor decisions usually came in sync when alcohol was involved. Camden wasn’t sure if remembering was better in regards to guilt. That is if you should have that on one’s conscience. “From the looks of it - he isn’t stopping anytime soon though.” It was like the gift that kept giving. Camden chuckled nonetheless at her comment. “Yeah, once you hit 30 it’s all downhill. At least I have a babyface. Something that is in my favor.” He joked while shaking his head. Getting old was somewhat terrifying in a sense. Time changes everything faster then we can keep track of. “Oh great, Maybe I should leave now then. To save myself the trouble.” He was polite enough but that was the last thing Camden wanted to do. “Spectating happens. At least we wouldn’t film this guy busting his ass. I am just waiting for the moment he trips on his two feet and faceplants.” A small chuckle being mused from his lips. 

-

“Perhaps, but at least some of my funniest memories with my friends were those mornings after when you wake up and remember all the stupid crap you did the night before. If you can’t regret-” Tailing off, Beth watched as the man in question stood on a chair and started dancing. “Dancing and most likely falling off a chair, in your twenties, when can you.” Laughing, the blonde shook her head as she took a sip of her drink. Looking up at him, Beth nodded, nudging him gently. “True, you don’t look a day over forty.” Smirking at her own joke, she winked at him before taking the final sip from her glass. “It’s fine, the dark circles under my eyes probably age me five years, side effect number one of having a child.” Brushing her blonde hair back and over her shoulders, the youngest Dryden turned on her stool to face him. “Am I that bad company? Want another one?” Pointing to his glass, Beth leaned forward to flag down the attention of the bartender. “Okay, but if he does that, I will not be able to stop myself from laughing and hoping someone else is filming. It almost makes me want to film him, which probably makes me a horrible person.”

[beth-dryden]

Kenny

…

“Now there’s a solution to a lot of our problems. We can do everything and just blame it on Ellie. You’re right, it’s kind of genius.” Not that she was actually considering it because it would likely force that little girl into a serious need for a therapist. Most children needed it but she didn’t want to be any part of that. Her heart went out to Beth though. She’d been with her sister and there was no greater lost than that of a sibling, especially one who was as close as she’d seen her and Maddie be. The distance and these recents event had to make her worried. “I get that. It’s hard when you’ve got polar opposite lives. I’m thinking that she’ll always be like this, won’t she? Seventy and still trying to board a plane to some far destination.” The blonde nodded, understanding. “I get that. Trust me.”

“You didn’t cause any issues but I’m not sure if Maddie told you about the stern that I had with her.” She felt like a parent when she described it but it had been a stern talking. “I tried to guilt trip her a little bit for putting you and everyone else in danger. I know she didn’t walk out of that ledge and decide to get hurt but I was afraid. I felt bad after.” She hadn’t apologized but it would certainly be something she would apologize for in time. The idea of Ellie showing off her presents sounded nice. “I’d love that. Maybe Atlas can bring over Alex and she can play with Ellie.” It would all depend on the time but she was sure that Atlas could probably ask to have Alex that night. “I’ll let Atlas know and we’ll make time.”

-

“It’s pretty much the only reason I got pregnant, really.” Smirking, Beth couldn’t help but chuckle. As much as she would definitely use the ‘for Ellie’ line to try and bribe her siblings into doing something for her, she was lucky that they would always see through it. “It’s fine, she takes after me so I think she’ll be the ones trying to guilt trip people into doing what she wants to do. She’s got great puppy dog eyes.” Nodding, the blonde shrugged a shoulder. Before Maddie had left, the sisters had been a lot more similar in how they lived their lives but as Beth had gotten pregnant and Maddie had gone off on her travels, it was hard to recognise the people they were ten years ago, but maybe that was just growing up. “I think so, I think ever since she left, she realised that this is who she truly is. I just hope she’s done with the serious lengths of time away, you know? Maybe her staying here for a while, she’ll see some roots aren’t a bad thing.”

Shaking her head, the blonde grinned over at Kenny, glad that it wasn’t just her and the family that had written Maddie the riot act. “She didn’t, but I’m not completely surprised? We’re definitely not the only ones, so hopefully she’ll just take someone with her next time. Or a satellite phone at least.” Even if she really didn’t want to think of her sister doing anything like that again, on some level she did know that there would be no stopping the older Dryden. “Yeah, that would be great, I’m sure Ellie would love to see Alex. I’ll make sure Mads is in, it’ll be good to get together, just let me know what night suits you guys with Alex and we’ll make it work.”

[beth-dryden]

Cal

“Sure, you don’t.” Cal smiled, nodding softly as his sister tried to play innocent. He took a bite of warm cookie, narrowing his eyes at her in suspicion. His gaze followed his niece as she sprinted off into the kitchen in search of the ingredients her mother had left behind on purpose. Clever. He took another bite of cookie to keep his opinion on that to himself for the time being. When Beth admitted to wanting to talk, Cal nodded slowly and wagged the half-eaten cookie at her. “Mm-hmm. There it is.” He exhaled, popping the remainder of the cookie into his mouth and gesturing for Beth to walk with him to the kitchen since she seemed to think hot chocolate would make a conversation easier. He was going to let her do the heavy lifting. Upon entering the kitchen, he took a seat at the island and playfully tossed a stray sprinkle at his niece. “Okay.. I’m listening.”  

-

“Callum, as your sister, I’m hurt that you think I’ve only come to see because I have a motive. I’m being a good mother, bringing your niece to you.” Of course she had an ulterior motive, but there was no way she was going to give in quite that easily. Shrugging, Beth grabbed the box of cookies and made her way to the kitchen, unable to stop herself from grinning at Ellie trying to reach the pack of marshmallows in the cupboard. “Let me get them, sweetie.” Picking out the things she needed, she glanced over at her daughter, then her brother, rolling her eyes a little at the sprinkle toss. “Look, it’s nothing heavy, believe me, we’ve had to talk about worse.” Setting the things up, she waited until Ellie had wandered back out to find some paper and pens in Beth’s bag before she spoke. “You need to talk to our sister, because genuinely, I’m going insane. She didn’t kill anyone, Cal, she’s happy, so can we stop this silent treatment?” Raising an eyebrow at him, the blonde shrugged. “I am not getting in the middle, but they have not been secretive about it. Can’t you just be happy that two people you love are happy?” Of course, she wasn’t going to tell him her own little secret, the thing that actually was a secret, instead, she dropped a couple of chocolate squares into the mug, on top of the cocoa. “For me? Your youngest and obviously favourite sister? Then we can drop it and I’ll talk about something else?”

[beth-dryden]

Derek

“That would be skiing,” Derek chuckled, “and the boards are a lot thinner for skiing, I think you will find this to me more enjoyable once you get the hang of it,” but what did he know? He simply had a great passion for snowboarding and loved to get people comfortable with it as well. Derek reached out for her as she steadied herself on him, his hand resting over top of her arm. “You got this.” He told her with assurance. “You would in fact look like a penguin,” he laughed, nodding his head. “Alas, you typically just take yourself out and walk with the board in hand but sometimes you just need to go a few inches somewhere and you settle for penguin walking.” He grinned at her, “just practice leaning forward and backward to get a feel for your own equilibrium.”

-

“Yes, that seems to be the safer option.” Taking a deep breath, Beth nodded, trying her best to suppress that little voice in her head that told her she was being silly and a tad annoying. This was a date, she liked Derek, so she was going to enjoy herself, no matter what. Looking up at him, the blonde smiled, unable to stop herself from laughing at her own comment. “I seriously brought up penguins, didn’t I? Is there a record to how quickly someone makes themselves look like an idiot on a date?” Grinning back at him, Beth blushed a little before looking down at her feet. “You’re definitely showing me the penguin walking later, by the way.” Still holding onto his arm, Beth leaned forward a little, trying not to squeak as she began to slowly move on the board. “Like this?” Leaning a little to the side, her face broke into another grin as she slowly started to move down the training slope. “Oh my god, am I doing it?” As soon as her sentence finished, she leaned a little too far and fell into the snow. “So how do experienced snowboarders get up again?”

[beth-dryden]

Camden

.

“There’s no doubt about that. I think his best bet is he just blacks out and doesn’t remember.” At least that way, it would save himself any memory of the sure to be embarrassment that was going to follow that man in question. “I guess we are all stubborn in our own sense.” Camden was, there was no reason to not try and hide it. But in these cases - the male was glad that he just usually stuck with beer. He liked caffeine just as the next person but mixing that with liquor seemed like a mess he didn’t want to dive into. “No, you’re probably right. It’s a hit with the younger crowd. I think anyone too old might just have a heart attack.” He chuckled, jokingly in a way. But he certainly wouldn’t put past the idea of that actually being factual. “See, I can’t bet against that because I’m pretty sure you’re going to be correct. It’s a given. I’ll try to not buy us some popcorn though. At least I can say I had some self control.” Another small chuckle following. 

-

“He’s having fun though, maybe he can remember some of it. Although the burn in his throat would be enough of a reminder.” As much as she knew she probably shouldn’t keep staring at the man who downed yet another drink, making Beth cringe, she also couldn’t entirely look away. If nothing, he was entertaining and by the look on his face, he knew it. “I’m pretty sure I know someone who did it recently and she was convinced she was having heart palpitations. I’m honestly not sure how we got to this age when we used to do that when we were younger.” Shuddering at the thought, Beth smirked as she looked over at him. “Awe, but that’s no fun. Although I am pretty sure they’re going to have to ask you to help them get him into a taxi because there’s no way the people he’s with are strong enough.” Taking a sip from her glass, Beth giggled. “Then we’d probably be the entertainment, two people sitting and eating popcorn in the middle of the bar, I can’t say I’ve seen that before, might be pretty fun. Popcorn is always a good idea.”

[beth-dryden]

Maddie

—

Reaching out, Maddie took a handful of popcorn and popped a few pieces into her own mouth, chewing slowly as she let out a soft chuckle at her sister’s words. “Mm, I’m not sure if disappointed is the right word but… you’ve got a point, I guess. I would like to counter the slow part, I’m pretty quick for a one legged girl thank you very much. I think you’d be surprised at how quickly I can move, just ask Benji.” She winked, words only serving to attempt to gross her sister out as a grin formed on her features. “Alright, alright. Too soon, I’m sorry.” She did her best not to roll her eyes, instead taking a sip from her wine glass and eating a few more pieces of popcorn. “Please, no. It’s not even a good movie, like I don’t get the hype. Plus Kiera Knightly’s character just makes me mad and I doubt you want me yelling at the screen for an hour and a half.” She mused, finishing off her handful of popcorn and chasing it with another sip from her wine glass. She’d watched the movie over the holidays for her sister once and that was her limit until next Christmas came around.

“I know and I love you for it, but I am a fully grown adult who can get around just fine on her own. You don’t have to worry about me, Beth. Really. I’m okay.” Keeping the light hold on her sister’s hand for a few extra minutes, Maddie gave the other woman a warm smile before turning her attention back to the TV and continuing to scroll through their options. “Okay you’re right, that World War Z movie where they could run was a little terrifying. But the ones in Shaun of the Dead are slow and honestly, funny. Or we can watch something else? How about…” She paused to think for a moment, “I saw Pride and Prejudice on here earlier. Or Bridesmaids! Can’t go wrong with someone having to shit in the street in a brand new wedding dress, it’s always funny.” She grinned, selecting the movie before turning towards Beth and giving her hand another squeeze. “I wouldn't say super bored, hon. I like being able to spend more time with you, too. It has been nice.”

Popping a piece of popcorn into her mouth, Beth had to swallow it quickly before she could mime gagging at her sister. As happy as she was that Maddie was happy and as much as they shared as sisters, there was no way that she wouldn’t be a little bit grossed out by that kind of comment on her sister’s sex life. “I don’t know whether to be grossed out by that or jealous that you actually have a sex life to make the comment about. Let’s go with the first one so it’s less depressing. You’re gross.” She could easily sit there and debate the credibility of the characters in one of her favourite holiday films, but she knew that Maddie barely tolerated one viewing a year, let alone a debate on it. “I could do without it, I won’t lie. So fine, no Love, Actually, you win, but if you choose a film that makes me want to vomit, I will hide your crutches and your phone.” 

As much as Beth knew what Maddie was saying was true, she couldn’t help but feel that worry. Even though she was the baby of the family, Beth had grown up a lot when she had Ellie and it had made her much more maternal to all of her family members, especially her siblings. “I know, but I do and you know that’s just me. I will try not to be so annoying about it though, I promise.” It had been hard on all of them whilst Maddie was missing and she was sure that when that feeling eased, she’d find things a lot easier. At the suggestion of one of her favourite movies, Beth nodded and opened the packet of sour patch kids, popping one into her mouth as she looked over at her sister, smiling as she chewed. Swallowing, Beth tossed one of the sweets at her sister. “Good, although I am pretty grossed out with how much Ellie wants to go with you when you get your cast off. She has loved having you around though, even if it isn’t under the best circumstances.”

[beth-dryden]

Derek

starter for @beth-dryden location: snowboarding hills 

When Derek agreed to go on a date with Beth, he caught even himself off guard. Did the man know it was a bad idea? Yes. Did he care? No. He had seen first hand how Beth’s brother reacted to their best friend dating Maddie - he figured the same would go for Derek dating Beth, yet, here was, ready to teach her how to snowboard. It was far from being out of his comfort zone but it was located in the outskirts of Providence Peak and he doubted he would be running into either of the Drydens. “So,” he started, looking over at Beth, “how are you feeling on the board so far?” Derek had helped her get strapped into the board, standing nearby in case she felt off balance for any reason.

-

Being bundled up in her ski clothes, a giant coat, hat, gloves and scarf wasn’t exactly the kind of look Beth was used to going with for a first date, but considering Derek had definitely seen her looking worse, she tried not to think about it too much. As she stood on the snowboard, the blonde looked at him with wide eyes, her arms out at her sides as she tried to balance herself. Skiing she could do, skiing she was used to, but being attached to one board was a whole new board game. “I feel like I should have two and not be relying on one tiny board for my safety, but that’s fine.” Trying to shift her weight, Beth wiggled her nose as nothing happened, trying again but only succeeding in wobbling. Reaching out, she held onto Derek’s arm to steady herself. “I honestly have no idea how you work these things. If you try and walk whilst attached, do you end up looking like a penguin?”