#2

Jayden Holliday 36 years Old Quarterback for the San Fran Niners and Local Hero of Carroll County

[ruthellerymd]

"not long." ruth smiled, waving at the local celebrity with a comfortable ease. she loved these moments in the stadium, the calm before the storm. the bright green grass, untouched by the damage that would be done, the stands spotless and waiting for their eager occupants. if only they remembered to lock the north gate, she might have to stop her journeys to the spotlights. "i just came to see the lights turn on."

[jaydawgholliday]

Smiling as he looks at Ruth then said "Actually, the lights turning on is one of my favorite things in the world to see in a stadium. Besides the fact that means its closer to game time but it also really beautiful to see the lights hit the field." Jayden smiles as he leans against the fence next to her then said "Its just hard to think about how far this town and the school team has come since I played here. I went to 4 straight championships here and won them all and now we have a chance to go back if we win tonight for the first time in a while."

[autumnonheels]

"Hey... Hey, I'm sorry. I guess... I'm just not used to people still worrying over me. Except maybe Summer, even if she won't admit it." Falling into step beside him as they headed down Main Street toward Cups and Cake's. "It's okay. I don't mind it. But you can't go scaring away every guy that talks to me. Besides, I might already have a date for the next party anyway. You're not allowed to try and intimidate him, either."

[jaydawgholliday]

Jayden wasn't gonna lie he was always protective of Autumn because he had always had feelings for her but would never admit that unless she did the same. "Because you always had the wrong people running in your circle because myself and Summer. Why do you think all the guys that you always had come around got afraid of coming back? Wasn't because of me but you know Summer is protective of you. Like you said even if she won't admit it." He said as he licks his lips then stared into her eyes as he walks with her to cups and cakes as he ignored the fact she might already have a date for the next party.

[aggierobshaw]

"It's just me." Giving a little wave, she couldn't help but offer him up a little smile. "I come to run the stairs sometimes, I didn't think anyone else would be here. Did I interrupt your nostalgia session?" Picking up her towel and water bottle off of the stadium chair she'd left them on, Aggie wiped some of the sweat off the back of her neck as she took a long drink. It was her favourite way to stay in shape, beneath the open sky of the Cav's stadium. "Congrats on last season, by the way."

[jaydawgholliday]

Jayden smiles as he looks at Aggie as he saw her set her stuff up then said "Hey there, Aggie. How're you doing?" Laughing as he smiles as he then said "You're fine. I was actually done. So why are you here so early?" He smiles as he then said "Thank you. I am still getting my footing even though I have been in the NFL for a while now. but Its still so unreal and sometimes it takes coming back here to get back into a groove."

[birchrcse]

Since the day she'd started, Birch had wanted to step out onto that field. Never in her life had she seen a football stadium like this one outside of television, let alone for a high school, and it all was quite awe-inspiring. Sure some of the Alabama teams that the Brantley Bears had played had big fields, even Brantley itself had a sizeable one, there was little more than bleachers around it... nothing like this. Though, she supposed that's what happened when a school fostered such talented alumna, and now the children of many a celebrity.

Pausing the moment she'd gotten far enough into the field that even her distracted gazing was forced to realize she wasn't alone, a small gasp of surprise giving her away. "Oh good golly gracious me, you scared the livin' lights out'a me, I swear. Oh my." A hand fluttered to over her thundering heart before lifting to brush away his worries with an embarrassed chuckle.

"I didn't even realize you was there, I was just starin' 'round at all the... well just all the everything here, and I got just lost in my head, I s'pose. I'm sorry if I was interruptin' you." He looked mighty familiar, but many a face around Carroll had started to, a fact that had made it seem just that much more like home.

[jaydawgholliday]

Smiling as he listen to the women then laughs "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you at all. I just didn't even know anyone was here at all." Jayden said in response then said " No not at all. Just kinda getting ready for half time of the state championship game. My number is being retired and I'm being honored here. JUst feeling a little emotional I guess. How're you Birch. I believe we met earlier. Where is Wilbur?"

[thexcarrollxtimes]

Vincent had missed his brother while he'd been off living his dreams playing for the 49-ers. First Ryden took off. Then a few years later Declan graduated and went off to Stanford. Then when Jayden followed, leaving Carroll for the big city, it was like his entire world had just left him behind. And if he was being honest he was lonelier than ever and had never felt so lost without his brother's guidance.

But he also wasn't one to wallow in his despair so he fell into a daily routine and, albeit a bit monotonous, he tolerated it enough to feel content. He welcomed the changes in pace however like when Jayden moved back to be honored. Seeing his big brother on the field brought back a lot of memories. He could only imagine what it felt like for him. Especially with the current team on their way to state finals.

"Long enough to know you're probably on the verge of crying like a baby out there," he kidded his brother. "I came by to see if you wanted to grab a beer and they said you were out here. I didn't want to interrupt your trip down memory lane," he explained of his appearance and why he hadn't bothered to announce himself, motioning toward the field.

[jaydawgholliday]

Jayden laughs as he looks at his brother then shook his head as he replied "Sometimes you know you're an asshole right but I still love you, Kid. Also I was not about to cry. This is just an emotional time for me. With my number being retired here in the town I grew up with and the team playing in the state championship tonight. Its the first time since I played here this has happened." He replied then said "How about you and I go grab some food and hang out. Also you coming to my game on sunday before the holiday rush?"

[jaydawgholliday]

Where: Carroll County Football Field Who: Anyone

Jayden was standing in the middle of the field looking around, taking everything in. Its been a minute since he has been here playing high school football under the friday night lights being the star of the football team. He loved this team and this school. He was excited to be honored and have his number two jersey retired and everyone on the team to be wearing it. Jayden also knew this team was going to State. He knew that the coach personally as it was his best friends dad from high school. After taking it all in he saw someone in the stands then walks over to them and said "How long have you been there?"

[autumnonheels]

"I am like..." Leaning over to whisper like someone would hear "in my thirties." A quick glance around to make sure no one was listening, she leaned back to finish her words at a normal volume. "I mean, I survived Dubai, the congo, and a stint in the Miss America pageant when Trump ran them. I can honestly handle myself. All you need to do is like... relax and finally let yourself enjoy one of my parties. Besides... I heard that Maliah is in town..."

[jaydawgholliday]

Jayden listen to the women as he licks his lips as she spoke "Even then. Sorry for caring, Autumn. I don't wanna see you get hurt." The athlete said to the women he kinda had feelings for then said " Yeah, I get it but Can help but be protective."

[locallegends-deactivated2026040]

@jaydawgholliday | pre tree lighting

Maliah had been telling herself that Carroll was smaller now, easier to breathe in, easier to navigate after a decade of pretending she’d outgrown it. But the truth was simpler: she was slowly relearning its pulse, the old rhythms she once fit into without thinking. She loved this town — loved it with that bone-deep ache that comes from growing up in a place that never fully knew what to do with you. Some days the nostalgia felt soft, like sunlight through orchard leaves; other days it stung like a bruise she’d pressed too hard. And nothing hurt quite like the memory of what she’d done to Jayden. Even now, the word no echoed inside her like she’d carved it into herself instead of speaking it aloud.

She didn’t expect to see him today — she never expected to see him, really, despite knowing that Carroll was too small for the fantasy of avoidance. Coffee in hand, she turned toward the Tree Lighting crowd and froze. There he was. Older now, broader across the shoulders, familiar in a way that made something tight and unsteady curl in her chest. For a moment she considered slipping back out the door, disappearing like she used to. But she’d promised herself she wouldn’t run anymore. So she inhaled, smoothing a curl behind her ear, and stepped forward. “Jayden,” she said softly, his name tasting heavier than she remembered. “Hi. It’s… been a while.” Not enough. Too much. But she had to start somewhere.

[jaydawgholliday]

Jayden had come home for a couple of days for the tree lighting as he was being honored and his old high school was gonna retire his jersey number. He never grew out of this town. He felt like it was getting bigger and better but who knows what was actually going on as he's in season right now. Jayden had been talking to the mayor of the town as he was being told how the lights will work and heard his name. It was his ex Maliah call his name out. The tall quarterback walks over to her then said "Its been a minute. How're you doing? Its nice to see you." He said as he cleared his throat a bit nervous as he looks at the women in front of him. He knew that she was older but can see in her eyes how much wiser she has become.

[autumnonheels]

"Oh please, you're just over protective. Not all my friends are like that. Some of them can totally be a blast." Especially now with how much larger Port Carroll had gotten since she'd last lived back at home full time, there was no way that events at the estate wouldn't be interesting at least. "I heard that a famous artist is moving to town... artists are always such wild people. And that one actor... Eric Sanders. Look at our little town being on the map."

[jaydawgholliday]

"Sorry for caring, Aut but someone has to be a protector for you or else you may meet the wrong dude for the wrong reason." The male said as he looks at the women then said "Famous artist? Like a painter or singer? Our little town has always been on the map because of their high school sports. I mean I get it but I just don't see how we are a small town anymore."

[autumnonheels]

"Oh come on, Jay-Jay, you know you missed the excitement of having me around. Come on, who in this silly town is gunna throw parties like I did? No one, that's who." Reaching out to give his shoulder a little shove, Auttie linked her arm with his so she could playfully half drag him into step with her. "Please, after all the places I've been, this might as well be the sticks or something. Now come on, you're gunna buy me a coffee from Starbucks, and we're going to get so caught up."

[jaydawgholliday]

"I mean you're not wrong but you know it would have been better if you didn't have a bunch of pinheads and dudes who thought they could get into your pants." The male said as he looks at her then said "Sticks huh? Where did you end up that you consider our home the sticks?"

[autumnonheels]

Where: Main Street Who: Open

"Oh, please, don't even apologize. I know I'm like... that girl, but I'm not that girl, you know? At least you didn't step on my Jimmy Choo's. I'm just... so happy to be home. You forget how slow life moves in Carroll, you know?" Setting her bags of shopping on one of the benches that lined the walking area of main street, she offered a bright smile, truly living her best life back at home, even if it meant living with her sister again. "Did you see, there was a woman over there... walking a piglet on a leash. I know this town is small but I never considered it truly country before."

[jaydawgholliday]

"You think I was gonna apologize. Come on. you have known me way too long to know that I wouldn't. Also, I could replace those shoes before you can. I'm glad you're happy to be home. You must have missed me so much." Jayden smiles as he looks at the women then nods "Yes I did. Her piglet's name is Wilbur and she seems like a sweet women. Do you even know what country looks like because I do."

[birchrcse]

Who: Open Where: Main Street

"Oh him? Yeah, he's Wilbur." Motioning over her shoulder to the little pink piglet that was currently snorting his way curiously into one of the planters on the corner, the Alabama was thick in her voice. "He was jus' born b'fore I left on my way here, and he was real runty, y'know? His Mama wasn't givin' him no attention and I couldn't leave 'im there like that. So... don't b'lieve what y'hear, really. They're real clean animals. Smart as dogs, really."

[jaydawgholliday]

"Wilbur. Like from Charlotte's Web right?" Jayden asked with a smile as he looks at the women and got down and looks at the beautiful little piglet as he then said "Well, that momma needs to be turned in and arrested. That's not allowed. Little one seems very smart."