Thirty-Four
Gym Owner
I can't sleep when there's something to do
You spend your whole life dreaming and you wake up dead
It's a long night can I spend it with you
Cause you're oh so pretty when you stand on the edge
-'Hurricane' by Lord Huron
hunter shrugged faintly, still a fan of the boots despite it. “ i mean, some people are into that. “ a smile breaking across her features as she nodded, “ yeah, tonight was my third night there and it was pretty nice. “ her smile faded slightly as she clear her throat, “ soo.. are you going through it or just enjoying the night air? “
“Fair point.” Jen conceded. There’s something like relief when she hears it’s the woman’s 3rd time at the gym. It was a good reminder that she was letting herself get too worked up over some late bills. Some months were lean and money needed to be juggled. If she could make it to New Years, she’d get that bump of new customers looking to keep their resolutions. “Well, I hope you come back.” she said, raking a hand through her hair and shrugging a shoulder. “I just decided to lose my cool for a moment. S’nothing a few rounds on the bag won’t fix.” Jen said, nodding her head in the direction of the gym.
not even looking up to see who it is, moss takes the hand and is helped to her feet, taking a deep breath with her. “yeah,” she assures the other, though she has a slight pain in her nose and knows there’ll be some bruising. “i’m good,” she nods, trying to shake it off. the other running off after offering some choice words to moss. “idiot…” she mumbles to herself, turning towards the woman with a grateful smile. “thanks,” moss nods, “rubbing her neck with her hand in a soothing massage. “not sure what his deal was.” moss scrunches her nose and flinches slightly at the pain, then hissing in annoyance at it. “ah, shit…” she presses a finger to the bridge - probably not broken, but definitely hurt. “you got anything cold?” she asks the stranger, grimacing.
Pulling the woman to her feet, Jen flipped her middle finger at the idiot who’d been in her way as they ran off. “Some people just suck.” Jen offered up as a form of explanation. It wasn’t exactly helpful and it wasn’t a positive outlook, but she’d found it to be truer and truer with every passing day. It looks like there was at least some damage to the woman’s nose, judging by how delicate she was being with her hands as she inspected it. At the question of having something cold Jen gave a sheepish shrug. “Just my general demeanor, I’m afraid.” she said... and it was sort of a joke. “There’s a coffee shop nearby. I’m sure they could give you some. Do you know it or do you need me to show you?” she offered, wondering if it was possible that the woman had a concussion. It seemed like a possibility, and though Jen could never be confused with a good samaritan, she didn’t want to see something bad happen to her.
aspen was on her lunch, the fun part of owning her own boutique was that she could come and go as she pleased. typically, aspen would never eavesdrop, but the woman was up against her shop and seemed to be upset. slowly she made her way to the woman, realizing she was the gym owner. aspen herself had only been there a handful of times. jen hadn’t looked up nor acknowledged her before speaking. “Rob you?” aspen replied with a chuckle. “pretty sure you could easily take me if i even tried.” she teased as she joined jen on the ground. she didn’t know how to explain her presence or that she had heard the conversation. “you’re the gym owner right?” she asked even though she knew the answer. but the women looked like she has been through it.
Jen tensed when the woman joined her on the ground. “Yeah. That’s mine.” she said, trying to find some peace with that. She could have had nothing. She’d had nothing for a long time before the gym, and struggling or not it was hers. “Sorry for snapping. Feels like everyone and their mother wants something from me today so, I figured if you were a criminal I could just save myself some time.” she said, her lips thinning. The woman’s face may have been familiar, but Jen couldn’t place it. Even before all her blackouts and time lost to drinking she’d been bad at putting names to faces. It wasn’t the best trait when her job required regular customers. There were a whole lot of people who walked into them gym who received a ‘hey, you’ from her.
after browsing the gym, seeing what membership packages they offered, francesca had found herself lingering out front on her phone, fingers flying rapidly across the screen replying to her latest text message. she walked a few steps forward, eyes still trained down at her phone when she heard a voice speak up. she took a moment to absorb the other persons words before she spoke up. “Well-“ she spoke up, putting a hand on her hip and shifting her posture in a dramatic way; “Considering all I personally 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 have on my person is a stick of gum, it’s hard to say i’d get away with it anyway.” she looked down at the stranger, giving her a grin meant to convey she was only joking harmlessly. “unless you’re like, really intimidated by my minty fresh breath.”
Jen quirked her mouth in something that was about as close to a smile as she gave, and it was more to make it clear that she also meant no harm. “Not so much.” she said. “Sorry for shouting. Just not having a great day.” Jen shrugged her shoulders and didn’t both to elaborate. Glancing past the woman her eyebrows pulled together in a slight curiosity. “Are you comin’ from the gym?”
Andrej wasn’t sure if Jen knew how grateful he was for her constantly putting up with his shit like this, especially now when he felt like he was close to spiralling out of control again. He was TRYING but god it was difficult. At least being here was proof he was trying because instead of opening another bottle, he’d grabbed his keys and walked here. He hadn’t realised how cold he was until he was inside Jen’s apartment but he nodded at the suggestion of ice cream anyway. The coldness in his mouth would force him back into reality – or so he hoped. “Ice cream sounds good. Maybe aspirin later.” He was beginning to feel slightly unbalanced now so he moved to sit down on the couch and sipped at the glass of water before putting it down and pulling his knees to his chest. “Nothing in particular happened, I guess. The world is shit, I’m a depressed mess and alcohol makes it better for a few hours until it doesn’t.”
Standing back up, Jen walked to the freezer. The pint of mint chocolate chip was missing a few spoonfuls but she didn’t think Andrej would mind. Grabbing one of the three spoons she owned, she walked back and handed both to him. Arching an eyebrow at the idea of it making anything better, Jen sank back into her lumpy couch and twisted her arms across her chest. “You know... this tends to work better if you hit me up before you head to the bar.” she said, and it wasn’t a judgement or admonishment because she wouldn’t take his small step forward and make him feel like shit for it. It was more of a reminder that she was here always. “Do you want to hit up a meeting with me tomorrow?” she asked, picking the remote back up and keeping her tone casual. “I can find one in the evening so you can sleep this off first, if you want.” she added, glancing over at him. Jen didn’t offer him a smile. She never really smiled. Her life was not exactly happy, nor was she, but it belonged to her and she didn’t plan on losing it to a bottle again. She wanted that kind of control for Andrej. It was a freedom she couldn’t give, but she could try to help as he earned it for himself.
Three in the morning and here he was, again. Andrej was just glad that Jen didn’t mind it when he rocked up at her apartment at ridiculous times in the morning because god he always felt guilty every time, especially when he felt slightly drunk the way he did right now. He hesitated for a moment before knocking at the door and waiting, pushing his fingers through his hair as he tried his best to look somewhat put together, even though that was the exact opposite of what he was. When the door open, Andrej saluted and then gave Jen and stupid grin. “Oh hey, fancy seeing you here. I guess I was just passing by in the neighbourhood and figured it would be a great opportunity to pop by and see my favourite person.” For a moment, he did jazz hands then finally stopped to chew at the inside of his lip before he let out a slow sigh. “Sorry, I’ve been drinking again. Can we hang?”
The knock on the door startled Jen awake from where she’d fallen asleep on her couch, remote still in hand. Before she’d even registered that she was awake she was on her feet, remote raised like a weapon. It took a few deep breaths for her to remember she was in her apartment, and the sound wasn’t someone coming to get her. Glancing at the clock on the stove and realizing what time it was, she had a pretty good idea who was at the door. She opened it, as she always did and then stepped aside to let him in all without saying a word. “Do you want some ice cream?” she offered, heading into the tiny kitchenette and pouring a glass of water for her middle of the night guest. “Or an aspirin?” she added on, walking back to her couch and handing Andrej the glass of water. She wanted to yell at him to get his shit together, that this wasn’t helping him- but Jen thought it said something that he turned to her when he knew he’d fucked up. It wasn’t always much, but it gave her some hope that maybe he could start again. “Something happen?” she asked, settling back down on the couch and propping her feet on the old, stained coffee table she’d picked up at a thrift shop.
Water rushes from her sweating bottle, parting her lips to take in the liquid in a large gulp. She brings the bottle down, tightening the lid as she continues down the sidewalk. It was later than normal for her daily gym trip, but it was a good workout and walking home seemed like a good idea until now when she was ready to collapse on the floor. Her paced slowed as she debated ordering an Uber to save her legs. It was until a voice came ringing through the darkness that she realized she had stopped walking when her attention was solely focused on her phone. Hunter couldn’t help the chuckle that came out of her lips as she smiled at the women before her. “ I wasn’t planning on it, but.. “ Her dark eyes ventured over the women, falling to her shoes before back up to the hues before her. “ Those shoes are cute.” A teasing note lining her tone.
Jen snorted and glanced at her beat up boots. “Yeah, they’ve really got that distressed look. Must be hard to resist.” she said with a sigh as she pushed herself back up to standing. Taking in the water bottle and general look of the person in front of her, she tipped her head to the side. “You just come from the gym?” It was a saving grace that there weren’t any competitors in the area. Jen had a feeling if someone opened up a yoga studio she’d be fucked. She had ideas on improving the place, but those ideas weren’t cheap. Until then, she just had to make sure people were coming in.
Even though he clearly didn’t spend as much time at the gym anymore as he had back when he was still playing football, Benji still needed to work out once in a while to get his mind off things. When he left the gym tonight to head home, he hadn’t come far, when he saw Jen sitting on the pavement with her back against the wall. Stopping next to her, he didn’t even get to say anything though before she already started talking. “Anyone trying to rob you would be the most stupid idiot around…”, Benji only replied with his eyebrows slightly raised as he waited to see whether Jen wanted to talk about whatever was going on.
"True.” Jen said, pointing towards the familiar voice before she swung her face around to give a small nod. “But it feels like every single bill collector and their mother has been hitting me up lately. Wouldn’t be shocked if they went and called some kind of bounty hunter on my ass.” she said. That was about as much as she was comfortable admitting to. There was no shame in struggling with bills, but she wanted to steer clear from any pity. Plus, it looked like Benji had just come from working out so it wasn’t like he wasn’t already doing her a solid just by being a member of the gym. Groaning slightly, she braced her hands on her knees and pushed herself back up to standing. “What are you up to?” she asked.
ivy had just finished her meeting with a new client that was looking for a new wedding planner as their old one flaked. normally she would have declined since the wedding was in a week but she liked a challenge - and distraction - so she agreed. thankfully, the venue was already set up with the date and she had to correlate with the caterers and decorators which seemed to be an easy task thus far. she headed back toward the house that she had rented when she saw someone ahead of her slide down to the ground. she had been there many times, she thought. as she approached, she let out a small laugh. “don’t worry, i don’t feel like committing a crime today so you’re off the hook. you okay?”
Jen scrubbed her hands over her face and then raked them through her hair. “I’m good... just felt like being a dramatic.” she said. The bills, the stress- they were nothing new and nothing that was singular to her. The moment of weakness, the making a show of her stress in public was just salt in the wound and it was of her own making. Forcing a brief smile she nodded her chin towards the blonde. “So what crimes do you commit when you do feel like it? You’ve got kind of an arson vibe.” Jen joked, more than happy to take the focus of herself.
moss was generally a patient person. she understood people made mistakes, sometimes they were in a rush, sometimes just having a bad day. she got it.
it was different, when she was averaging 19mi/hr on her run and so focused on her breathing that she doesn’t notice when a body crashes into her, and sends her to the ground in a tumble. “shit!” she hisses as she lands on her back, instinctively rolling to her side and onto her knees as she tries to catch her breath. “dude,” she breathes, pulling her headphones from her ears, “what the hell?” she coughs out, rubbing dirt and concrete from her shoulders.
@moorbrookestarters
Running was a necessary part of Jen’s routine. It didn’t make a difference if it was a morning run to start her day, a break from the gym, or one of her runs in the middle of the night when she couldn’t sleep. Rain or shine, she always made sure to get a few miles in. The small accomplishment left her feeling better, clearer. She was glad she’s started her run early today though. The weather had turned gorgeous; and every runner in town seemed to agree. Stepping to the side of the path, she began some stretches to help her body cool down and to keep her muscles from completely screaming at her later. She kept an eye on the trail, watching the people coming and going, wondering to herself if she should invest in more treadmills at the gym. The collision felt like it happened in slow motion. Someone who maybe wasn’t as experienced, too busy setting up their bluetooth headphones and someone sprinting- the sound made Jen wince when body hit body. Taking a few quiet steps forward, she held out a hand to the faster of the two. “That was nasty. You alright?” she asked.
Dougie grinned pulling up into the parking space. He’d been more than happy to let his friend borrow his truck to move a few things but he wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to borrow their bike in return. He couldn’t help but consider getting his own. He was certain his brother would kill him but there was something about it that he found freeing. His head lifted as a shadow passed over the bike. “What do you think? Should I get one or does it seem like I’m headed into midlife crisis range?”
Jen needed a fix. She knew she shouldn’t, knew it wasn’t good for her but she couldn’t help it. Ripping open the bag of sour gummy worms right there on the sidewalk before she walked back to the gym felt damn near sinful. It didn’t help that this was going to have to tide her over until she shut down for the day. There wasn’t enough time for her to take a proper lunch. Even this quick run to grab a snack felt like bad business. the hum of the engine has her looking up to admire the motorcycle, and the following question makes her snort quietly in a laugh. “Not to be morbid, but it’s only a midlife crisis if you actually live that long. Could just be a fun way to spend your money.” she said, popping another sour gummy worm into her mouth.
Jen looked down at her ringing phone and groaned before answering. She’d barely said ‘hello’ before the collector on the other end began reminding her exactly how overdue her electric was and that she only had another week to get it cleared up. It was a song and dance she was familiar with. “I’m putting the check in the mail as we speak. It’ll get to you day after tomorrow.” she said, and for the most part she was telling the truth. There were checks inside the envelopes she was shoving into the mailbox, however she had put the electric in the one addressed to the gas company, while the gas bill would go to the electric company. Usually, the fact that they received a check at all, even if it was wrong, was enough good faith to buy her another week or two. When she finally got the person on the other end to hang up, she braced herself against the nearest wall outside of some shop up the road from the gym and just sank down to take a few deep breaths. Fucking bills. Sometimes she thought she preferred deployment. Hearing someone approach, Jen didn’t bother looking up before she started talking. “If you’re here to rob me, you can fuck off.”
JEN SLOANE( SHE/HER ) is a CIS FEMALE, THIRTY-FOUR year old OWNER OF RIPTIDE GYM who has been living in Moorbrooke for HER WHOLE LIFE. They were born on SEPTEMBER TWENTY-FIFTH and right now, they are currently residing in OAKLEY COURT. It has been said that they look suspiciously like ELIZA DUSHKU and if they had to choose a song to describe themselves, they would choose HURRICANE by LORD HURON.
(tw: drugs, prison, war, violence)
Name: Jennifer Louise Sloane
Age: 34
Birthday: September 25th, 1988
Profession: Owner of Riptide Gym
Eyes: Brown
Sexuality & Pronouns: Straight & She/Her
Romantic Status: Happily Single
Zodiac: Libra sun, Pisces moon, Scorpio rising
Hair: Brown with a streak of Gray at the front and underneath
Height: 5'5
Tattoos:
One tribal tattoo on her upper right arm, the date of her release on her ankle
Scars:
The bullet scars are on her lower abdomen, right hip, left thigh above the knee and left shoulder.
There is a also a faint scar on the right side of her neck where her throat was almost cut.
+ Determined, Capable, Resourceful
- Detached, Impulsive, Bitter
Bio:
Jen grew up with loud parents and an annoying older sister. She never seemed to fit in with them. She had no real ambition in their eyes, she just wanted to do her thing and be left alone. In reality, they simply didn’t agree with the way she wanted her life to look. At eighteen she moved out and joined the military, with the idea that she could serve some time and then afford to get a degree in criminal justice. It seemed like something that would let her travel, would maybe lead to something interesting. Instead she saw a lot of desert, a lot of blood, and a lot of death. When she came home, she tried to go back to something that seemed familiar, but life was different. Jen was different. She had a boyfriend who dumped her, parents that had retired to Florida and a know-it-all big sister who had moved to Arizona to get married and pop out babies with her attorney husband.
Jennifer spiraled. Hard. Drinking, drugs, sex. Anything to numb herself, to get to sleep, to wake up, to function. She began seeing a guy regularly and all they did was party. One morning, after a bender she woke up beside him on the couch. He never woke up. She was 24 years old and had never had a sterling reputation, meanwhile Trevor, had been the apple of his parents’ eye. His family had money, status and privilege. She was taken to court, painted as the reason for his death and the real source of the drugs. The judge sentenced her to five years in prison. It was rough, but it afforded her the time to get clean.
It’s been 4 years since she left prison, and she managed to rebuild her life and maybe even a bit of her reputation. Instead of pouring herself into partying, she works out and even runs the damn gym. The dream of being a cop is long gone, thanks to the felony on her record. Instead, she’s an armchair investigator, studying true crime and pouring through chat rooms.
Personality:
Jennifer can be friendly. Personable. She doesn’t hate people, not in the least. She loves people, she just gets sick of them easily. There is usually at least a few late bills she’s bouncing between or a repair she needs to get ahead of, but she is weirdly grateful for something to throw her attention into. It’s the quiet and calm that makes her uneasy. A little bit of crisis, of mayhem, feels safer to her somehow.
