The only way is up!

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

chucksanderson​:

         “good, cause i know how to kick ass. i’ve got a blackbelt. i bought it from goodwill but it still counts- actually i stole it from goodwill but that’s gotta earn me some fighting cred.” chuck flicks the hula girl on her dash so she starts dancing and pops her mixtape out of the tape player to switch it to something else.

“probably doesn’t help that only a few months back that ted bundy film dropped so people are a hundred times more antsy about hitchhikers.” though chuck isn’t entirely sure what that says about her. she knows she can defend herself and she use to be in this guys shoes before getting her van. “dude, it is fated. we were meant to cross paths, it’s a sign. don’t know what the sign says but i guess we’ve got time to figure that out.” she pulls back onto the road, slipping in her eighties mixtape and cindy lauper begins to croon about girls just wanting to have fun.

“nah, i don’t spend all this time on my hair and makeup to get into the sea. but i’m a big fan of getting a tan so you’ll see me out on a towel on the beach. what about yourself?”

“Better than from a Dojo I’d say.” He chuckled. “Although, that’s pretty naugthy. You know?” He shook his head, but the playful smile was still on his lips. “I don’t think that Mr. Miyagi would approve.” Now the reference was a bit dated perhaps, but then again, he had enjoyed Karte Kid as a boy and well, Kobra Kai was cool.

“John by the way.” He shifted on his seat so that their gazes could met and he offered her a friendly handshake.

“Yep, now everyone expects me to be a serial killer, an ex con or something...” He nodded, well the latter wasn’t completely false though. “I mean, I was about to walk the last few miles, before you appeared.” Another smile.

“Definitely. I hope it says, U-turn, I can use one.” Yep not bitter at all. “Or bar ahead, as for sure I owe you a coffee now.” He smiled, trying to shift the attention away from the doom and gloom.

“Or better a fucking ice cold beer.” God if he could use one himself.

“Fair enough. I know a place or two you might like then. I mean, born and bred in Wellcliff myself. I know those beaches like the palm of my hand.” Yep, it has been years honestly, but he didn’t expect the town to have have changed much in his absence. “Maybe even when a certain strapping surfer hangs out.” He chuckled.

“Got a backup question?” He lowered his eyes. “Sorry… well, I’m going back home, but it’s like… I don’t know what to expect to find there.” New life? Redemption? Maybe.

“What about you? Planning to stay in town a bit?”

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

dcngerousblues​:

“i would hope so. my mom says that being a good hostess should be my first priority in life. if you treat others well, then the karma will come back to you, or something like that,” this is her way of thanking him for the compliment regarding being welcoming. to stacy, this was just a part of her life and she was used to giving people the warm welcome no matter what creed or background they came from. “there’s no rush on moving out, mom likes it when the rooms are filled up.”

she tries to wrap her head around his answer to where he’s been. “around? like, were you in school at wellcliff community college?” she presses on, starting to walk back to the foyer and up the stairs. “i didn’t think people had a reason to fight in college. i thought it would be all smooth sailing and whatever. no cliques to worry about, not much of a reputation to keep, just classes to get through.” stacy wouldn’t have known, she hadn’t been lucky enough to attend college. wellcliff was where she had stayed and not even the community college interested her enough to go out of her comfort zone.

“dude! i totes have got you covered in the board department. i keep all my old ones in the basement,” most of stacy’s purchases had to do with her surfing hobby - boards, wax, stands, and suits. she had them all. the basement even had some wetsuits from past boyfriends of her mother or random people who came to stay with them and left their gear behind. “i can try and teach you, but you’ll have to catch up, newbie,” she giggles.

“wait ‘till you see the upstairs, it’s cozy and a half,” she points to the first door all the way down the hall. “that’s gonna be your bedroom, it’s got a nice queen bed, an old quilt, a dresser, and an attached bathroom with a shower.” their house had four bathrooms and four bedrooms, it worked out nicely for housing a whole hoard of people.

“there’s a lot you can do to help out. the crain girls can put you to work, especially when it comes to dishes or helping with cleaning. we’ll let you know what needs to be done when it needs to be done,” she answers him, crossing her arms over her chest.

‘Yeah I guess I have always been a crappy host or something then.’ No way he was gonna voice that though. “It’s lucky of me then. Still I think she deserves a thank, you know as a bonus, if karma isn’t enough.” John nodded again. It was kind of her and to be honest, without the geneosity of Stacey’s mom, he wouldn’t have known where to go.

“I wish…I went to Philly you know?” He smiled again, but it didn’t reach the eyes. “I guess I wasn’t made for it though. Dunno, Could have earned my living on the waves or something.” He chuckled. Yep, or gas station attendant, like dad, or his bros. He wanted more though.

“Oh trust me they are lost punchable people there too. High school has nothing on college.” John laughed, genuinely this time. Then again, himself, until his fall from grace didn’t really mind cliques or whatever. Easy to say, when he had always been close to the top.

“But that’s not what I meant, It was my scholarship that paid for it… definitely not my amazing grades.” He chuckled again, yep his GPA was ok, but none of his teachers in their right mind would have ever considered John Maddox college material. And they were right in the end. He frowned a little, but then tried to conceal it with another smile.

“So you have been living the life. I’m jealous you know?” His smile suggested though that he was just happy for her. “Anyway, you’d have to help me catch up with everyone later you know?”

“Awesome.” He grinned. “I couldn’t wait to get back on the waves…” Not that Philadelphia was that far from the ocean, but then again, at first he lacked the time, than the money to ‘waste’ on it. “Newbie? Hey give me get back on the board a few times and I’ll show you.” He grinned and he gave Stacy a playful shove. “God I feel pretty stocked you know?” He sighed, at least something was going his way after all? In fact, he would have never expected to find it with Stacey’s house, of all places. And yet… There he was.

“Woah, I… you and your mom really are too nice with me, you know that?” He smiled fondly this time when they got to his room. His last few weeks, well, his life has been cheap motels, bus stations, or wherever he could find a place to rest his head, this was luxury. This was? Too  much? He didn’t deserve it.

“Great. Anything you need.” He smirked.

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

chucksanderson​:

chuck has been living in her van so long now she can’t even remember what a proper bed feels like. but nonetheless she prefers the freedom of her van. it’s a bit of a clunker, it used to be black but age has made it turn into a grey, there’s stickers from every state she has been in plastered all over it and several hula girls on her dashboard. it’s messy, a little all over the place, just like it’s owner.

due to her constant hopping of states, she has picked up her fair share of hitchhikers and upon seeing the brunette on the side of the road she pulls over. leaning over her gear stick to wind the window down, she eyes the guy up with a smirk.

“sure thing, doll. but i warn you now- try anything and i’ll taze your ass.” lifting the lock on the door she pushes the door open. “where yah heading? if it’s not in the direction of wellcliff i won’t be able to take you.” 

John beamed when not only she stopped, but actually invited him in. Finally his luck has begun to turn. Besides, she was easy on the eyes right? ‘Calm down tiger…’ And judging from the state of her van pretty spirited too right?

Plus willing to take an unknown hitchhiker that clearly had spent his share of time on the streets, definitely a virtue in the young man books.

He grinned and raised his hands in a playful gesture of surrender. “I wouldn’t dare.” He smirked. “Besides you’re a life-saver, you know? Been here a while. I almost thought that I had lost my touch.” He teased.

“Fuck have you really been in all those places?” He pointed at the stickers on the hull of the van.

Yep, it really was a lucky break wasn’t it? She was headed home. Well… Sort of. “That’s where I’m headed. Fuck I can’t believe I’m almost there. I’ll owe you forever you know?” Another playful smile on his lips as he hopped in, dropping the backpack on the floor between his legs. 

“Wellcliff is your last stop too?” He asked, when the two went back on the way. “Gonna go get some surfing?”

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

dcngerousblues

stacy opened the door wider for johnny to enter the crain residence. it was a nice victorian, nicer than stacy and her mother would be able to afford if the place hadn’t been in their family for generations. it helped that they got payment from some of the people who stayed in their home. yet, lillee crain was too kind to make others pay any sort of rent. “absolutely no biggie, dude! we’re happy to have you as long as you want to stay,” stacy didn’t mention the fact that john might be pulled into the weird seances and such of the house. that could come up later. “where have you been, john?” she loved hearing the stories of her classmates and where they went after graduation. some to return others, to disappear into the abyss. sometimes stacy dreamed of getting out of her hometown, but it was more likely she’d stay there her entire life. “i think it was graduation, or maybe the party that came after the ceremony,” she giggles, walking further into the main room. “i’ve been good, still living in wellcliff, still surfing, i work on the boardwalk. it’s not a glamorous life but i’m loving it, dude,” she smiles gently.

“so, welcome to our house, let me give you the little tour. you’ll be staying next to lars svensson,” she starts explaining pointing up the stairs to where all the bedrooms were. “he’s staying with us from sweden, my mom found him on, like, facebook or something. he pretty much is never here except to sleep so you won’t have to worry about that.” she points to a door to the left of the foyer, “that’s our first bathroom, no shower but it’s got a toilet and sink.” she points behind her to the open kitchen, “that’s, obviously, where the kitchen is. you can, like, take anything you want. we get groceries on sundays. there’s a list you can add to on the fridge.” she walks into the kitchen and then through the open doorway through the left wall. “this is where we have our living room. there’s a tv, a couch, and some board games.” she pauses her explanation of the home, looking towards john. “questions so far?”

“Thanks, You do know how to make people feel welcome you know?” It was a nice change of pace, from the impression he got once he got back… His hometown was… Well he still felt a sense of uneasiness that was hard to shake off. Euphemism of the century. “And I hope I’ll be able to...well you know… soon.” He lowered his eyes. Yeah, it sucked, having to rely on the generosity of a friend. At least he had one that was willing to help out. 

“Well, around.” He shook his head. The frown though was quickly replaced by a smile. “I know that’s not a real answer isn’t it?” He chuckled. “It’s a long story, but well, to make it short I literally punched my way through college.” He shadowboxed against the air. “And out of it, shortly thereafter.” Yep…  “I do have a few adventures in between though.” He smiled, but it didn’t exactly reach his eyes.

“Yep. Couldn’t wait to dart out of town myself…” And yet there he was. 

“I bet you do.” He smirked. “Fuck I really need to get a new board somehow.” Well, after he got a few more thing sorted out maybe. “Maybe you can give me a lesson or two, might have gotten a bit rusty.” 

“Cozy.” He surveyed the home. “Tell your mom I love your house by the way.” He added politely, not that it wasn’t true though.

“Yep, just one. Anything I can help out around here?” The least he could do was play his part with the chores after all.

[noahrayen]

@wellcliffstarters​ || 9 pm at the bonfire

listen, it’s a tradition. if there’s a bonfire, there’s s’mores. it’s a non-negotiable social contract. it was also a skill that noah took pride in, perfectly golden brown marshmallows and melted chocolate. just a little bit far removed from, whatever was occurring on the end of the stick next to his. “i’m just saying - not judging - but i am off the clock and that’s a hazard, my friend.” noah laughed, teasing.

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

“Sorry man, you might need to keep an eye on it.” John chuckled. “For I definitely intend to eat this one.” He shook his head. Trying to remember if he knew this guy, from his life, before…They were close in age right? Yeah, maybe a year or two apart. Yet, if he they had been in school together he would remember it. After all John had picked up that spot exactly because he didn’t recognize any face. An easy way to avoid uncomfortable reunions. For now. 

“I’ll owe you a beer though, for your watch.” He smiled, taking a bottle that he had left hanging on the sand. “Cheers...”

[dcngerousblues]

// @wellcliffstarters​ | 12am @ the bonfire

“come with me, i have a secret mission,” stacy whispers to the nearest figure, her finger missing her lips as she attempts to make a shushing noise. “you see that dude over there,” a wobbly finger comes up to point at some random townie. ‘they, like, totes were harshing my vibe by taking all the punch and i say we pull a little wellcliff prank on ‘em. i don’t even think they are from here. i don’t recognize ‘em. why are you at the, like, resident bonfire if you don’t even live here full season?”

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

“A secret mission?” John chuckled, lowering the tone of his voice shortly thereafter. “Ahh yeah… secret… right.” He grinned.

“What do you have in mind?” He added with a mischievous smirk. Now John definitely was a bit of a prankster in high school and well, things hadn’t exactly changed when he moved to college, especially during Greek Life.

“By the way…” He raised one eyebrow. “Does that mean I have to be on the watch for one too? I mean, not exactly a permanent resident either”

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

Come on it’s tradition. Yeah of a place that he had left behind. Fuck as a teenager John enjoyed the bonfire, after all what not to like, an evening on the beach, the chance to sneak out with his friends, staying up until way too late (and of course stealing some booze when the ‘grown ups’ weren’t looking). Now though.

Well, It just felt awkward. He had been away for too long and while sure he could recognize a few faces, most of them were blanks, people he hadn’t seen since he was a boy or worse, people that he actually didn’t want to see him or vice versa, not after news of his screw ups reached town.

Yet there he was, a plastic cup in his hand, away from the main crowd, staring at the ocean. Steps. Looks like he was no longer allowed the luxury of being on his own. Whatever. It was not like socializing a little would kill him right?

“Hey” he turned to face the newcomer. “If you were planning to use this spot for brooding, I'm sorry, but it's already taken.” He chuckled.

"Hey. Hey. Hey. I'm joking, you can stay... by the way, it has been a while am I right?

“How have you been?”

@wellcliffstarters​

[bloodyliies]

it didn’t take long for antonio to fall back into his playful behavior , for someone who had been raised in a prison . he still had that endearing child-like charisma . pouring the tequila shots he hands them to several people as he looks at the other who hadn’t taken the shot glass ❝  come on , live a little . all the way down . ❞

@wellcliffstarters​

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

I shouldn’t be here. Yeah, he should be halfway across the state, making a future for himself and yet, there he was. Back home. It wasn’t the crux of the problem though. Truth was, John didn’t want to go at the annual bonfire, too many people, that he was sure it’d feel too awkward to meet. Too soon. Yet. Stacy had pushed him to go and anyway, it was not exactly like he had much better to do, it was not a goo night to waste staring at the roof. So yeah, he had spent it actually staring at the bonfire, keeping on his own, just in case. Improvement? Maybe.

He couldn’t last long though, brooding on a cheerful day like that. It wasn’t… well it just wasn’t him. So he found himself trading shots with strangers. Too many, perhaps. Then again, it was not like he had much better to do right?

“Wha-“ A drunken grin on his lips, despite being caught just staring at the small glass of tequila. “Cheers.” He chuckled, not before chugging the rest of the shot in one go. “Another round?” No way he could say no to free booze after all.

[dcngerousblues]

// @johnnywellcliff​

stacy’s mother had left her a hastily scribbled note this morning on the fridge, it read: love you, there’s a boy coming to check out the empty room today, think you went to school with him. make sure he gets settled. stacy knew that her mother had a habit of bringing in anyone to their home. from the time she was little, she saw folks coming and going, their faces a blur in her memory. she was always polite, though, and never one to turn down a new friend. so, she sat in the main room in anticipation, waiting until she saw someone coming up the walk to open up her door. “welcome, mi casa is, like, totes su casa, dude,” she greeted. “oh my gosh! hey, johnny. i didn’t expect it to be you!”

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

It was… Well frankly weird wasn’t it? Walking through your hometown after being away for so long and actually, feeling like it was a new turn of your life and a hopeful one at that. Yet there he was, tired, definitely in need of a shower after having spent the best part of the weekend hitchhiking. It was fucked up, strolling past the home where you grew up, but not being able, or willing, to go and knock at the door.

At least, the welcome party at what was going to be his new residence, well as long as he could afford it, was a joyful one. Unexpected, yet pleasant as far as surprises went.

“Hey…” There was a smile on his lips when Stacy welcomed him. “’Nks… by the way.”

“The one and only.” He chuckled. “Me neither… To be honest. ” Yeah I wasn’t planning to ever return. “Yet here I’m.”

“I missed you people… you know?” He dropped his backpack on the floor, it was not a big one, considering… “So how have you been? I mean it has been fucking ages, it was what graduation day maybe?”

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

@chucksanderson​

How long has he been on the roads? Too much. And especially on that intersection. Christ! It felt like forever, then again, it was not like there were so many eager to pick up unknown hitchhikers. Whatever, someone will stop eventually, besides, it was not like he had much of a choice. Home wasn’t too far. Well assuming he could call Wellcliff home. It must be though. Or Else. 

*Maybe I can walk…” 

Finally an engine. A run-down truck. John waved to call the driver’a attention. A middle aged mom and her daughter. They darted past him. 

“Hey thank you… Very kind…” He shouted as the vehicle became a small dot past the horizon. No luck. Not this time. Not yet. 

He went back to lean against a small drywall, by the side of the road. Backpack on the ground at his feet. His worn jacket hanging on top of his perch. Way too hot to wear anything more than shorts and a tank top. Besides, he had learned that the latter actually did increase the pick up rate considerably. He cleaned the sweat from his brow. Another engine. Time to go greet it… Maybe, it would be the right one.

“Hey...” He waved at the newcomer. “Do you mind a ride?”

[johnnywellcliff-blog]

Who is John Maddox?

Have you seen John Maddox hanging around? the 24 year old often hangs around WELLCLIFF BEACH when they’re not LOOKING FOR A JOB. I’ve been told they’re DRIVEN but IRRESPONSIBLE and when i look at them, i see WORN SNEAKERS AND BROADSHORTS, A TIRED SMILE, BOXING GLOVES AND MIDNIGHT SWIMS. wellcliff wouldn’t be the same without ‘em!

Heya, here are a few questions answered about John. A Wanted Connection page is coming soon (will post a link here too once it’s done).

What’s your Name?

“John Maddox, Johnny is fine though.”

How old are you?

“Twenty-four, but not by much. The 5th of May was my birthday.”

Zodiac Sign?

“Sorry I don’t believe in that kind of things. I’m a Taurus though.”

What do you do for a living?

“Next question please.”

Why are you back in Wellclif?

“Why am I back home? Well… I wish to say that I missed the place and I did for fuck sake, I’d be lying saying that I didn’t… But… It’s not that it’s just… I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

Why did you leave?

I got a scholarship. The town golden boy. A road to a shiny bright future. Get rich. See the world. Mom and Dad were so proud. It’s just that, well, collegiate sport isn’t as shiny as it seems. You aren’t exactly paid for it and as a small town kid. Well I wasn’t exactly ready for a few things.

What happened then?

In short? I fucked up. Got greedy. Went around with the wrong people. The offered me money to help fixing a match. You have no idea what kind of money goes around that kind of things. Even at a level such as mine and trust me, there was not a future where I was gonna be a national star, even without screwing up. It wasn’t just a match, many more followed. Soon I had my own sport car, trade a dorm room for my own place. Girls, partying. I was on top of the fucking world. For a while at least.

Why am I here talking to you then? Well, didn’t I say I fucked up? Got caught. Lost my scholarship, kicked out from college. My family was so ashamed. And of course, what little I hadn’t spent in lawyers got taken by the government.

And so here I’m, a part from the shirt on my back, all I have left fit into a backpack, I got money in my pockets maybe a couple of weeks, an used bus ticket… And… Well… I’m home, sort of. Mom and dad won’t have me, or I mean maybe they would, but I can’t really look at them in the eyes right? I need to sort things out first.

What about your family?

Well the Maddox have a gas station down the road and a small general store, I worked there as a teenager. There is three of us, the Maddox siblings, all brothers, I’m the eldest though. Honest, hardworking types. You can imagine how they felt.

What are you doing in town?

Well. It’s complicated, but well, mostly, I’m looking for a job. Maybe something close to the ocean? But I’d be up for anything at this point. Trying to get back on my feet you know? There are a few friends I want to catch up to, but… Well, it’s not easy to come back right?

What do you do for fun?

A part from a beer my friends? Well… I liking hanging out outdoor. Love the ocean. I can swim all day. Play soccer for fun. Any team game I’d say. I did boxe to calm my nerves, but now it reminds me of my fuck ups a bit too much. If you know what I mean… I play guitar, but I need to buy a new one. I love bikes and motorbikes, the feeling of the wind on your skin when you dart down an empty street is freaking amazing. And I don’t mind a game night with my friends, be warned though, I’m extremely competitive.

What kind of person are you? Strengths? Flaws?

Well, Is this a job interview? No fine, then I can be honest about it. I like to think of myself as driven as someone who knows what he wants and had the will to take it, if you know what I mean. After fucking it up though, I’m starting to doubt that I actually have the skill to do it. I don’t always think we my head (yeah euphemism of the century). Some people call me a little naïve. And they might be right. I’m pretty passionate though. I mean I fall in love fast and hard. If you are my friend, you are that forever. I can take a joke and I can make one too, when I’m in the mood at least.

[johnnywellcliff-blog]