Robin’s eyes widened when she looked up from the inventory list she was working on behind the counter. Tammy Thompson. Never had she expected to see her again after she left Hawkins in hopes of becoming the next biggest country sensation. She wondered how that worked out for her? Her crush was forgotten when high school was over and real life took its place so she had no idea what happened to the first girl she’d secretly fallen head over heels for. Those feelings all came rushing back when she set eyes on her. Her heart was racing and she was sure that she’d been staring a little too long without saying anything.
“What?…” Shaking her head out of the clouds she just grinned in return. “Oh yeah. I sure do. I’m living the dream, obviously.” She teased. God she’d probably looked so creepy just staring all dreamy eyed like she had been and now she felt totally awkward. But what was new? Robin had always felt that way whenever she looked at or spoke to Tammy. Honestly she couldn’t even believe the girl remembered her. She’d barely even known she was alive back in school when it mattered. It hadn’t stopped her from admiring from afar any chance she got.
She might have changed her style a bit but to Robin Buckley she was still the same old Tammy. Gorgeous as ever. And that longing was hitting her right in the chest just like they were back in Mrs. Click’s study hall. It would be just her luck if Dingus were to walk out and block her just as he did back then. Robin herself had changed slightly. A new haircut, wearing more boyish clothes but other than that she still just as much of zero as she always had.
“Um, yeah. Of course.” She took the movies and started to check them out for her. Just like everything else about Tammy, her taste in films was amazing. “I can do better than that.” She entered her own employee code instead so Tammy could just check them out for free. It wasn’t like she ever used it. Robin didn’t even have a VCR. “No charge.” She tried not to blush as she finished up. “So did you ever make the big time? Hope Hawkins isn’t sucking you back in.” Actually part of her wished just the opposite. Robin herself had never left.
it’s just a small break, some time to breathe , as her manager suggested ! besides , tammy was totally watching the news at her favorite diner in nashville every morning ( because god forbid she’d ever cook for herself ) , and she doesn’t have her own tv - so watching the news during her lunch break was the best possible way to get it ! and woah , did hawkins get even more wild after she left .
a part of her misses it . brown hues meet robin’s blue , gentle smile upon her lips . that’s one thing she didn’t need extra training in : having the perfect smile for any occasion . her manager always tells her it’ll be her money maker , if she ever made it . besides , it’s comforting seeing someone from home ; someone she practically grew up with , even if they were never explicitly friends - she was familiar with robin . to be fair : tammy thompson is a NICE girl , if a bit spoiled and sometimes she had her head in the clouds . but it got her this far , didn’t it ?
robin always stared ; at first it took some getting used to , but in the end - it just made her feel seen , and isn’t that what every girl likes ? ‘ aren’t you a total movie buff ? besides the movie theatres , i feel like this would be the dream . i mean - even i have a part time job at a record store back in nashville ! ’ and sure , her parents are paying for her manager and her lessons - but tammy likes having a little extra cash , just in case .
‘ did you do something new to your hair ? ’ tammy gets this feeling that there’s something NEW about robin , though she can’t place it , it’s hard to ignore . the brunette shakes her head . ‘ we’ve all changed so much since high school , huh ? back then , i was way too obsessed with long hair . ’ now she prefers it curlier , bouncier , with a little extra color . tammy’s a far cry from the basic , small town girl she used to be .
‘ seriously ? that’s too kind of you . completely unnecessary - i was totally joking ! ’ but she’s also , like , not going to say no to a free movie either . ‘ for that , i’ll have to go by one of your recs . i’m way too busy with music to keep up with movies . ’ and she shrugs , shakes her head . ‘ you’re the best , robin . seriously . and have i made it ? ’ head is thrown to the side , curls bouncing , she chuckles .
‘ not yet - but i’ve got a manager and we’re working on a personal brand , so that’s something . once up we have a concept , things should be easier . and i’m only back for the holiday’s . kinda missed my little bro and sis . ’ she shrugs , leans over the counter . ‘ how ‘bout you , any life updates ? ’