brand new start

"All things truly wicked start from innocence." Julian Taggart | 21 | Bartender

[missjessicadixon]

I don’t have to vacuum the needles, I don’t have to water it and I can spray the house with air freshener. I’ll put up a fake tree until I can get a real one, deal? I have no idea, I just know that they’re starches. If there is a food fight, Julian Taggart, you will assist in the clean up, I hope you know that. Yes, I have whipped cream. I don’t know, you seem more like a diva than a whiny ass.

[probablyjules]

I should have known Jessica Dixon would have it all planned out and covered. Then if you get it in my precious hair, I can only guarantee a food fight. Can I just wash dishes and call it a night? What can I say? I expected pizza and go a full course meal. I can't help but desire all the stops.

[finleygrey-deactivated20150923]

Have you never done a secret santa? The whole point is that it stays secret. You know? Anonymous gifts don’t usually come with a nametag. However I did end up with two of the same candle kit. That must have been the go to gift. I don’t even light candles, I might even still have them. They would make a good regift. We’ve had this conversation multiple times. I couldn’t live without you, you couldn’t live without me. It’s a horrible situation, but its one of those uncontrollable facts of life.  

[probablyjules]

All the secret santas I've done have had a big reveal. If you regift the candle to me, I'm going to hate you forever. I don't need a candle, just so you know. Good, then don't make me hate you over a poor Christmas gift.

[hecrtfelts]

My aunt lived here. I was house sitting for a couple’a weeks, then I just kinda stayed despite her moving. No special reason, honestly. Just needed a change of scenery. Can’t get mad at you for trying, nope. You seem clever—… so I’m curious as to why you didn’t just try that early on. You absolutely have a button nose! That paired with the curly hair means you’d certainly fit into that radiating-Christmas-spirit category. Oh, absolutely not. I choose to focus on Groundhog Day by rarely coming out of my house, which symbolizes the groundhog in his hole. Probably more than I will in my entire life. Enough to circle the world ten times over, maybe. 

[probablyjules]

But why Darlington? Change of scenery could have been Seattle, could have been Brooklyn. What did Darlington hold for you? Eh, I like the idea of tradition. A mistletoe calls for a kiss, so I'd abide. But now I'm a rebel like you. Kiss on the cheek, it is. Well, don't get me wrong. After the first week of December, I love Christmas. But c'mon, give Thanksgiving a fighting chance, you know? How can you do that? My apartment hosts nothing but dead plants and ice. I need to get out of it for survival reasons. Is your home a wonderland of food and decoration? Because if so, please invite me over immediately. Someone tell hr eyeliner should be used sparingly. I think we'd be doing her a favor.

[missjessicadixon]

It’s an artificial tree. Y’know, the ones you get out of a box? I’m not brave enough to have a real tree. I’ll throw mashed potatoes at you if you think you can spend the night ignoring me. That luscious hair of yours? Smothered in mash. Just imagine that. The pumpkin pie is perfectly fine, don’t worry your little head. 

[probablyjules]

What's the fun of a tree if it's not stinking up your entire apartment? You need a get a real one or it's just going to be lousy. Do mashed potatoes hold any protein? Because then I wouldn't mind. Will you get mad at me if I yell 'food fight' post potato throw? Because come on, it'd be necessary. Good. Do you have whip cream, too? Also, are you regretting inviting my whiny ass yet?

[finleygrey-deactivated20150923]

Because the rules for secret santa is that people aren’t supposed to know who you have. Yeah? So they didn’t notice. Pretty sneaky huh? I’m proud of that one. Sometimes the simplest things are the most genius. If I told you what it was, then it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it. So stop pestering me.

[probablyjules]

Yeah, but you find out after the gift exchange. How are you not suspended from this year's Secret Santa? I'm just saying, if it's either of those, 2015 will be a Julian-less year for you. A very sad, dull year without me. How will you live?

[hecrtfelts]

I don’t know— just a theory. Oh, come on. It’s not like I actually believe that’s how everyone ended up here. I mean, I do believe everyone ended up here for a reason, though. I mean, c’mon. I’m from Baton Rouge. Why not just go to LSU and stay close to home instead of moving across the country? Well, because I had a reason. Right—… so I’ll just avoid the combination of mistletoe and you at all costs because the only thing you’d get out of me is a light peck on the cheek. Nice try though, J. She was definitely, like, twelve, so I’m really glad that’s not your ‘type’. Oh, c’mon—… who doesn’t love cute button noses? You’ve got one, yourself. Taylor Momsen… Taylor Mo—… oh. Now I get it. Definitely get it. Wow— talk about a change of heart. Went from Christmas to Halloween real quick. 

[probablyjules]

Okay, so what's your reason then, huh? What brought snarky little Sutton to Darlington? Hey, it was worth a try, right? Trying to even out Christmas mistletoe debts. I'm going to try the cheek thing from now on, this isn't fair. I do not have a button nose. You have a button nose. Cindy-Lou Who has a button nose. I just have a nose. Hey, I get it. Can't focus all your energy on one holiday, you know? I just wonder how much she spends on eyeliner per year.

[missjessicadixon]

I have quite a bit more than a few candy canes and lights, yeah. Not to mention the Christmas tree is going up tomorrow after I get out of work. You wouldn’t dare eat in silence. You and I both know that I’d say something, whether it be about music, the weather, an offer to go to the shower, and you’d talk. I didn’t burn the bird, you asshole. I’m a great cook, thank you. A mini Betty Crocker. Just don’t eat the apple pie, I may have burned the crust.

[probablyjules]

How are you getting a Christmas tree into your apartment? I feel like you'd fall over trying to carry that. Hey, I may be talkative but it'll be my Thanksgiving challenge. Last year, it was how many buscuits can I at? This year, it'll be can I sit in silence for the entirety of Thanksgiving with my best friend? We'll just see about that. Not the apple pie! Please tell me you're serving Pumpkin, too. I need some glimmer of hope for the desserts.

[hecrtfelts]

I find that a bit hard to believe, honestly. Who knows? Everyone ends up in Darlington for a reason—… maybe it’s because we all did somethin’ to get on Santa’s not-so-jolly side. She really was a shitty person. Looking back, I don’t think I ever really liked her—… only ever did because my other friends seemed to. Yeah—… I know what you mean. I always seemed to get away with a peck on the cheek, if anything. Ah, and you’re full of shit. It’s sweet that you tried, though. Cindy-Lou Who? Rough around the edges? No way. Raccoon eyes? For what reason? 

[probablyjules]

And why's that? Maybe I was just enticed by the small town lifestyle. That's a very cynical way of looking at Darlington. Good, I'd be concerned if you did enjoy her asshole qualities. Oh, don't think you'll get away so easy this year, S. If I have to lock lips with everyone I encounter under the mistletoe, you should know if we ever get caught under one, a kiss on the cheek will not be enough. Hey, I'm serious! Cindy-Lou Who isn't my type anyway. It might be because she was practically a toddler. Or because she was friends with the Grinch. Either way, I'm not looking for a cute button nose and the works. Have you not seen the actress who played her? Look up Taylor Momsen and then get back to me.

[hecrtfelts]

I really don’t think that’d be all that shocking, honestly. Maybe we were all shitty kids and we ended up on the eternal Naughty List, therefor ending up in Christmas-Hell. Just—… don’t let anyone go through a door the same time as you, or drag you under a door frame. The people the suck the most are the one’s who hang it in the least convenient places. I had a friend who’d hang it right over the snack table at Christmas parties. So unhelpful. Your sarcasm is music to my ears, J. Not everyone can have a cute button nose and a smile that radiates Christmas cheer. 

[probablyjules]

Speak for yourself. I'm an angel without a halo, Sutton. I should be on the nice list. Your friend sounds like an asshole. I don't get the humor in watching strangers or people kiss. That's a personal thing, you know? Ah, you're cute in your own way. The rough-around-the-edges way. Kind of like Cindy-Lou Who now! Also who I call raccoon eyes.

[finleygrey-deactivated20150923]

Last year I rigged it so my name was in there more than once. But I guess this year I can downgrade and make sure we get each other. I already know what I am going to put under your tree.

[probablyjules]

How did they not notice? If it's scissors for my hair or a scrapbook of tattoo ideas, we're no longer friends, Fin.

[jfc-jackson-deactivated20141203]

Not an elf, sorry. They don’t have the best clothes. That’s why I order all my clothes online.

[probablyjules]

What? But they're so cheap. And slightly hilarious. I'm pretty sure half my closet has come from thrift stores.

[missjessicadixon]

Suck it up, Taggart. Life in a small town comes with perks like this. And stop mocking the early Christmas decorations, I’ve got a few up myself. If you’re planning on ditching me, there’s the one and only excuse I’ll let you use.

[probablyjules]

Seriously? We haven't even eaten yet, Jess. If you have anything more than a few candy canes and lights, we're no longer on speaking terms. We eat turkey in silence. I would never ditch you, though. I'm too curious to see whether or not you burned the bird.

[finleygrey-deactivated20150923]

Stop being a baby and face the holiday head on.

[probablyjules]

Only if we rig Secret Santa and promise to get each other.

[hecrtfelts]

When Santa comes around, yes you absolutely should. I wouldn’t be surprised if you start to think we actually live in the North Pole and the name Darlington is just a cover-up for what really lies beneath. Fake snow on windows, lights everywhere, beware of mistletoe, watch out for kids on sleds, always be prepared for snow ball wars—… all that stuff. Darlington’s something outta the movies ‘round Christmas time. Me? Well, let’s just say I’m not exactly your typical Cindy-Lou Who, y’know? 

[probablyjules]

Makes sense. Surprise, the Enforcer is just evil St. Nick. I'm pretty good at snow ball fights, but I'm oblivious to mistletoe. I mean, who the fuck looks up when they're walking through a door? Really? Because you look like the spitting image of her. So smiley and happy all the time. I'm surprised, really, Sut.

[jfc-jackson-deactivated20141203]

Christmas is coming man.

[probablyjules]

Are you one of the elves I need to look out for? Kidding. It's coming too soon, man. I am woefully unprepared. I haven't even gotten an ugly Christmas sweater from Nifty Thrifts yet.

[hecrtfelts]

Doesn’t Darlington always take the holiday thing full force? I mean—… most Christmas lights go up the first week of November. Halloween’s over, and bam. Suddenly it’s ‘tis the season to be merry— or jolly— or whatever the hell it is. 

[probablyjules]

Hell if I know, this is my first winter here. Should I expect little elves walking around down carrying presents? Candy canes on every store front? I'm guessing you're not a big fan of the 'holly, jolly' vibe December brings around, huh?

[probablyjules]

It smells like turkey but it looks like Christmas. I don't think I've seen so many lights in one day, let alone on a holiday that wasn't actually Christmas. I'm almost afraid of Thanksgiving ending and Darlington taking this whole holiday thing full force.